DEFENCE

Aluminium Powder/Barium

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has authorised the dropping of (a) aluminium powder and (b) barium in UK airspace by (i) UK aeroplanes and (ii) US aeroplanes.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 18 June 2004
	No.

Army (Redress of Grievances)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 28 April 2004, Official Report, column 992W, on army (redress of grievances), how many soldiers who submitted a redress since 1997 made complaints of bullying of the 18 cases outstanding since April 2001; how many are complaints involving alleged bullying; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence does not hold complete records dating back to 1997. However, during the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2004, 27 complaints were submitted within the Army in which allegations of bullying were made.
	Of the 18 complaints still pending since April 2001, none alleges bullying.

Army Recruitment

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of each regiment of the British Army on the latest date for which figures are available had been recruited from (a) Fiji, (b) other Commonwealth countries and (c) foreign countries.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 12 July 2004
	Figures for individual regiments are not available, however, the percentage for each Arm/Service of the British Army on the 1 June 2004 which had been recruited from (a) Fiji and (b) other Commonwealth countries is as follows:
	
		Percentage
		
			 ARM/service (a) FIJI (b) Commonwealth(1) 
		
		
			 H CAV RAC 1.2 0.1 
			 RA 2.0 0.5 
			 RE 0.7 0.3 
			 R Signals 0.5 0.4 
			 Footguards 1.0 0.1 
			 Scots Division 4.5 0.0 
			 Queens Division 3.5 0.9 
			 Kings Division 3.8 0.7 
			 POW Division 3.1 0.6 
			 Light Division 1.9 0.5 
			 R Irish (GS) 5.5 0.0 
			 Para 0.8 0.0 
			 AAC 1.2 0.2 
			 RLC 3.2 1.1 
			 RAMC 1.4 0.6 
			 REME 0.6 0.2 
			 AG Corps (Pro) 0.1 0.0 
			 AG Corps (SPS) 2.5 1.3 
			 RADC 3.1 0.4 
			 QARANC 0.0 0.7 
			 CA Mus 0.0 0.3 
		
	
	(1) Recruits from St. Vincent since April 2002 and St. Lucia since April 1999
	No individuals have been recruited from (c) foreign countries.

Diego Garcia

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 27 May 2004, Official Report, column 1840W, what the reason is for the Royal Military Police post established at Diego Garcia.

Geoff Hoon: Some 40 British Service personnel, including one from the Royal Military Police, are permanently stationed in Diego Garcia, where they undertake a variety of customs, policing, and security related duties.

Guns

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the need for interoperability of ammunition for naval guns between the Royal Navy and major Allies' navies; and what assessment has been made of the cost implications of interoperability.

Adam Ingram: No specific studies have been undertaken in this area. However, in the Type 45 Land Attack Lethality Package work conducted last year, interoperability of ammunition was recognised as a potential benefit both in the allied naval and United Kingdom land environments.

Guns

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the long-term requirements of guns for the Type 45 Destroyer.

Adam Ingram: Ministry of Defence staff are presently conducting an assessment into the future Naval Fire Support (NFS) requirements of the Fleet in order to support the MOD's expeditionary strategy as outlined in the Defence White Paper of December 2003. This assessment will take into account the need to provide an enhanced NFS system to the Type 45 destroyer as well as other platforms in the Fleet. The six type 45 destroyers on order have all been programmed to receive the 4.5" Mk8 Mod1 gun system.

Guns

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional capability will result from the improvements to the 4.5" Mk8 Mod1 gun; what the projected cost of improvements is; and what alternatives have or are being explored.

Adam Ingram: Improvements to the 4.5 Mk8 Modl gun system are aimed both at increasing its reliability and extending its range, by around 30 per cent., through the introduction of improved ammunition. An engineering update programme is under way concerning the design and construction of the mount to remove obsolescence, to improve reliability and maintainability and to reduce the quantity of hazardous materials and fluids. At present, six ships have been upgraded, with the majority of the remaining gun-fitted ships to follow in the near future. Early results have shown significant improvements in reliability as a result of this upgrade. The modified guns are designated 4.5 Mk8 Mod 1 and, on the basis that the programme is to improve reliability, it is wholly funded by In Service Support funding.
	The new improved ammunition was introduced during April 2004.
	Incremental improvement to the gun system is constantly being explored and studies to assess improvements in accuracy (improved data input), range (improved ammunition) and lethality (larger calibre systems) are being investigated.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2004, Official Report, column 547W, on Iraq, when he will write to the hon. Member in response to questions (a) 154477, (b) 154488 and (c) 158861.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 7 June 2004
	To provide the information requested, it is necessary to scrutinise every unit record produced during operations in Iraq. This is a considerable task and, although we have devoted all available resources to the work and it has been on-going for a number of weeks, it remains some way from completion. I will write when I am able to respond substantively to the hon. Member.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer to the question reference 174620, on Iraq (detainees), what prompted the issuing of new verbal instructions and an amended Standard Operating Instruction on 30 September 2003.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 5 July 2004
	Military commanders became aware that the practice of hooding could be harmful to prisoners, especially if it was applied inappropriately. They judged that these concerns outweighed the military justification for the continued use of hooding as a means of blindfolding, and that the most prudent, immediate response was to introduce a ban. The incident that gave rise to these concerns has been the subject of an investigation.

Iraq

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2004, Official Report, column 142W, on what date he was first informed (a) that two British intelligence officers had participated in the interrogation of a hooded Iraqi prisoner and (b) that the Prime Minister had disclosed this information to the Intelligence and Security Committee.

Adam Ingram: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister copied his letter to the Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee to the Defence Secretary on the 25 May 2004. The intelligence personnel concerned were not members of the armed forces. We are not aware of any instances where the armed forces interrogators have used hooding as an interrogation technique.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 12 July 2004, ref. 174620, if he will place a copy of the original Standard Operating Instruction on the Policy for Apprehending, Handling and Processing of Detainees and Internees in the Library.

Adam Ingram: I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which relates to defence, security and international relations.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether an agreement was reached between coalition partners on the degree to which coercion would be permitted to be used on prisoners of war and other detainees taken into custody in Iraq during Operation Telic and the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq; and what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart on this matter since 8 May 2003.

Adam Ingram: Coercion of prisoners of war, internees and detainees is specifically prohibited under the terms of the Geneva Conventions and Protocols. Allegations of coercion by other members of the coalition is a matter for those nations concerned, and the US Government have already launched an investigation.

Iraq

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that the prohibition of (a) torture and (b) any other form of ill treatment is respected by (i) coalition forces, (ii) Iraqi police and (iii) other official forces involved in detaining suspects.

Adam Ingram: Members of the United Kingdom armed forces are liable under both UK and international law for their conduct while on operations in Iraq. As such, military personnel are fully informed of their responsibilities and obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, not only through training received prior to deployment, but also through specific Standard Operating Procedures. All UK military personnel deploying to Iraq receive an Aide Memoire card on the Law of Armed Conflict, which clearly states that prisoners, detainees and civilians must be treated with dignity and respect, and must not in any way be subject to abuse, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.
	Any credible allegations of abuse by UK forces are investigated. Allegations made against other coalition nations are a matter for them. Members of Iraqi security services, including the Iraqi police and Iraqi Civil Defence Corps, are subject to Iraqi criminal law. They are controlled by the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior, who have issued them with a code of conduct.

Iraq

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the standard procedure for (a) de-briefing and (b) recovery from trauma for British soldiers returning from Iraq is;
	(2)  whether all British soldiers returning from Iraq are assessed for mental health problems; and how long after arrival back in the UK mental health assessments take place;
	(3)  what provisions are in place to address the mental health needs of soldiers who have been to Iraq.

Ivor Caplin: Service personnel, both Regular and Reservist, returning from current operations in the Gulf undergo a two to three day period of 'normalisation'. During this period, they receive a post-deployment briefing package. This package includes two leaflets and a presentation, covering post traumatic stress reactions, and the problems that may be encountered on returning home to families and friends. Personnel also receive guidance on who to consult (including their commanders, padres, social workers or medical officers) if they experience post traumatic problems. Commanders also receive training on how to identify signs that an individual may be experiencing problems in order that they can encourage them to seek help.
	There is no mandatory mental health assessment for Service personnel returning from current operations in the Gulf, it is considered that the detection of mental health problems is not best served by a standardised 'one size fits all' assessment process as such conditions can manifest over a period of time and affect individuals in different ways. Therefore, an enforced assessment could, in the longer term, be potentially counter productive.
	Mental health assessments and any treatment required is carried out according to individual needs.

Iraq

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the mental health status of troops returning from Iraq.

Ivor Caplin: Defence Ministers have had no discussions with their United States counterpart on the mental health of Service personnel returning from Iraq.

Long-term Sickness

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are classified as long-term sick in (a) the Royal Artillery, (b) the Royal Engineers, (c) the Royal Armoured Corps, (d) the Infantry and (e) the Army Air Corps; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 28 June 2004
	The numbers currently classified as long-term sick from the trained strength of the Arms and Corps specified are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 (a) Royal Artillery 41 
			 (b) Royal Engineers 31 
			 (c) Royal Armoured Corps 28 
			 (d) Infantry 122 
			 (e) Army Air Corps 9 
			 Total 231

Management Groups

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the responsibilities of the (a) 1 Group, (b) 2 Group, (c) 3 Group, (d) Deputy Commander-in-Chief, (e) British Forces Cyprus, (f) British Forces Gibraltar, (g) Permanent Joint Headquarters, (h) Sovereign Base Areas Administration and (i) British Forces Falkland Islands management groups.

Ivor Caplin: The responsibilities of the management groupings requested are listed as follows:
	(a) To deliver, develop and sustain combat air power for operations. The Group is responsible for all operational fast jet aircraft, including the Joint Force Harrier (incorporating both Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Harriers), as well as the Air Weapons Ranges.
	(b) To develop and deliver effective combat support world-wide. This includes the provision of air transport, air refuelling, force protection, logistics and supplies to support operations and exercises worldwide.
	(c) To deliver and sustain ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance), search and rescue and air battle management capability in an efficient and effective manner.
	(d) To direct and develop the delivery and sustainment of air power capabilities that will make a key contribution to the success of joint, NATO and multinational operations.
	(e) Operate, sustains and protects key facilities in Cyprus, in order to preserve the UK's strategic interests.
	(f) Responsible for the security and maintenance of key sites and air and sea ports of disembarkation in order to ensure Gibraltar's security and territorial integrity, and provide staging and mounting facilities for UK and coalition operations elsewhere.
	(g) As directed by the Chief of Defence Staff, for the planning and execution of Joint, potentially Joint, and UK-led multi-national operations, and for exercising Operational Command of UK forces assigned to combined and multi-national operations led by others,
	(h) Administer the sovereign base areas in Cyprus in accordance with the Directive from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in order to ensure their effective use as military bases, full cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus and the protection of the interests of those resident and working within the Sovereign Base Areas.
	(i) The mission is to deter any military aggression against the South Atlantic Overseas Territories.

Management Groups

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the responsibilities of the (a) Flag Officer Training and Recruiting, (b) HQ, (c) Naval Secretary, (d) Army Personnel Centre, (e) Adjutant General, (f) Army Training and Recruiting Agency, (g) Army Programme, (h) Service Children Education, (i) General Staff, (j) Personnel Management Agency, (k) Core HQ and (l) Training Group Defence Agency management groups.

Ivor Caplin: The responsibilities of the management groupings you requested are listed as follows:
	(a) The role of Flag Officer Training and Recruiting (FOTR) is to deliver trained personnel to the Naval Service and support RN sponsored Youth Organisations.
	(b) HQ is taken to mean the TLB itself. The aim of 2nd Sea Lord/Commander In Chief Naval Home Command is to deliver the Naval Service personnel component of Operational Capability (OC) while evolving it to meet the needs of the Future Navy. This means consistently delivering the right people, with the right skills, to the right place at the right time.
	(c) The aim of DGHR(N) is to maintain an attractive employment environment that will sustain the trained strength of the Naval Service for effective and efficient deployment in Peace, Crisis, Major Crisis or War. The Naval Secretary/Director General Human Resources (Navy) (NavSec/DGHR(N)) is responsible for the policy and execution of all aspects of Service Conditions, Structural, Appointing and Drafting requirements for uniformed Naval Sendee personnel.
	(d) I wrote to the hon. Member on 22 June with a copy of the APC Business Plan and undertook to provide a copy of the 2003–04 APC Annual Report and Accounts. These documents set out the responsibilities of the Army Personnel Centre.
	(e) The mission of the Adjutant General is to enhance the operational effectiveness of the British Army's regular, reserve and volunteer components by recruiting and training the men and women we need, by carefully managing their careers, by educating and supporting their families and by giving sensible and pragmatic policy direction and advice on all personnel issues affecting those who are serving or retired.
	(f) The Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA) is an integral part of the Adjutant General's Top Level Budget and receives its direction from him. The ATRA's aim, or Mission, is to "Deliver trained and motivated individuals to meet the operational requirements of the Army and defence".
	(g) See serial (d)  
	(h) The Service Children's Education Agency provides an effective and efficient education service, from Foundation Stage through to sixth form, for dependent children residing with MOD personnel serving outside the United Kingdom; to enable those children to benefit from the residence abroad.
	(i) The General Staff mission is
	"The General Staff is to provide clear policy and direction for the Army, advise the Ministers and others, ensuring coherence across the Lines of Development in order to sustain the delivery of military capability from the Army both now and in the future."
	(j) The Personnel Management Agency is responsible for providing the right people to meet the RAFs contribution to the UK's defence aim. This means putting the right people in the right place at the right time, together with developing people across all branches and trades so that they can continue to be able to man the RAF in the years ahead.
	(k) The Training Group Defence Agency (TG) is responsible for the recruitment and selection of all Royal Air Force personnel in the required numbers to achieve the calculated training targets. The Agency trains military personnel and certain categories of civilians, to the standards required to undertake ground appointments, and also trains aircrew of the three Services to the appropriate standards for entry into their operational conversion units and other specialist flying training courses. The Agency also provides Lead Command and Common Service capability in accordance with single Service protocols on training and development, education, specialist training support and physical education.
	(l) There are three distinct elements of the Core HQ—PTC HQ Central Areas, Air Officer Administration HQ Branches and the Directly Administered Units. The Central areas cover the HQ elements of PTC (Cmd Sec, AOA, CINC/DCINC) and specialist functions HQ staff (DLS, DGMS, Chaplain-In-Chief) together with policy areas. The AOA/DAUs areas also cover the RAF SU's both in the UK and Overseas (including USVFs, RAFIO and NATO SUs).
	Further information on individual defence agencies is available in the Library of the House of Commons.

Medical Pensions

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure of each service has been on medical pensions attributable to service for the injured personnel discharged in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: Details of the expenditure on attributable medical pensions under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and the War Pension Scheme for personnel medically discharged since 1997 are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Numeracy/Literacy

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the (a) numeracy and (b) literacy of recruits to each of the three services; and what programmes are available to those who need to raise their level of attainment.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 5 July 2004
	Basic Skills (numeracy and literacy) are assessed on entry to all three Services. An assessment for the Royal Navy earlier this year, found that some 20 per cent. of recruits were at or below National Basic Skills Entry Level 3 and an assessment by the Army in October 2003 indicated that some 50 per cent. of their recruits were at or below this standard. No significant problem has been identified in the RAF.
	In the Royal Navy, Basic Skills are addressed within training according to individual need and from September 2004, there will be a separate training phase for those identified as having a Basic Skills gap. In the Army, Basic Skills support and assistance is provided locally at around 164 Educational Centres, ICT-based learning centres and Initial Training Units. In the RAF, those who require improvements to their Basic Skills are given assistance via the RAF Learndirect Hub.
	All three Services are major providers of Modem Apprenticeships. These require individuals to achieve at least Key Skills Level 1 in both numeracy and literacy.

Peacekeeping Operations

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence personnel are performing peace maintaining roles, broken down by country.

Adam Ingram: United Kingdom armed forces are engaged abroad in supporting the development and maintenance of peace in the following countries:
	
		
			  Approximate personnel numbers 
		
		
			 Middle East(2) 9,500 
			 Bosnia 800 
			 Afghanistan 700 
			 Cyprus 410 
			 Kosovo 190 
			 Georgia 7 
			 Sierra Leone 20 
			 Democratic Republic of Congo 5 
			 Ethiopia/Eritrea 4 
			 Liberia 3 
		
	
	(2) Including Iraq
	The UK's contribution to these opera·tins is kept under regular review.

PFI/PPP Contracts

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts have been let by his Department in each financial year since 2001–02 to (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte and Touche, (c) KPMG and (d) Ernst and Young for advising his Department on private finance initiative and public private partnership contracts; and what fees were paid in each case.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has enabling contracts with a number of companies, including those listed, to provide specialist financial advice to projects on PFI and partnering issues. These contracts, of four years duration, were placed in January 2002 following competition in accordance with MOD's normal procedures. They will be recompeted in 2005 with a view to replacement contracts being let in January 2006. Work is commissioned under the contracts through individual Tasking Orders placed by project teams. The value of total payments under these contracts to the end of financial year 2003–04, to the nearest £0.5 million in each case, was:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 PricewaterhouseCooper 23 
			 Deloitte and Touche 4 
			 KPMG 12 
			 Ernst and Young 0.5

Service Periods

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the most recent figure is for the average length of service in the British Army of soldiers who are (a) United Kingdom citizens, (b) Commonwealth citizens and (c) foreign citizens, broken down by regiment.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The following table gives the Mean Length of Reckonable service for all trained soldiers in all Arms/Services as at 1 June 2004.
	Note that the data presented represents the situation as at 1 June 2004 and the relatively low Length of Service of Commonwealth citizens reflects the fact that many of them are recently joined.
	
		
			  UK Commonwealth (excluding UK) Eire 
		
		
			 H CAV 8 years 4 months 2 years 3 months (3)— 
			 RAC 8 years 4 months 3 years 4 months 10 years 4 months 
			 RA 8 years 7 months 2 years 6 months 7 years 4 months 
			 RE 9 years 3 years 1 month 9 years 5 months 
			 R Signals 8 years 4 months 3 years 7 months 7 years 8 months 
			 Footguards 7 years 8 months 2 years 9 months (4)— 
			 Scots DIV 8 years 1 month 3 years 6 months (4)— 
			 Queens DIV 7 years 10 months 2 years 7 months 14 years 6 months 
			 Kings DIV 1 years 6 months 2 years 8 months (4)— 
			 POW DIV 7 years 7 months 2 years 10 months (4)— 
			 Light DIV 7 years 6 months 2 years 1 month (4)— 
			 R Irish(GS) 8 years 2 months 3 years 5 months (4)— 
			 Para 7 years 8 months 3 years 8 months 10 years 11 months 
			 Infantry total 7 years 9 months 2 years 10 months 9 years 11 months 
			 AAC 10 years 4 months 2 years 9 months (4)— 
			 RLC 9 years 8 months 2 years 2 months 9 years 11 months 
			 RAMC 9 years 10 months 2 years 11 months (4)— 
			 REME 10 years 8 months 3 years 7 months 10 years 11 months 
			 AG Corps(PRO) 9 years 9 months 6 years 2 months (4)— 
			 AG Corps(SPS) 11 years 11 months 1 year 10 months 11 years 5 months 
			 AG Corps(MPS) 17 years 8 months (3)— (3)— 
			 RAVC 8 years 1 month (4)— (3)— 
			 SASC 16 years 10 months (3)— (3)— 
			 RADC 10 years 4 months 3 years 1 month (3)— 
			 INT Corps 10 years 6 months (3)— (3)— 
			 APTC 15 years 11 months (4)— (3)— 
			 QARANC 8 years 3 months 3 years 5 months (3)— 
			 CA Mus 12 years 4 months 3 years 10 months (4)— 
			 LS List 27 years 5 months (4)— (3)— 
			 Total 9 years 3 months 2 years 7 months 9 years 10 months 
		
	
	(3) Represents zero occurrences in a particular category.
	(4) Represents less than five occurrences in a particular category.
	Length of Service averages have only been calculated for categories containing five or more individuals. There is no Arm/Service with five or more foreign citizens.
	The average Length of Service of all foreign citizens is seven years one month.
	The only UK dependency with five or more individuals are St. Helenians whose average Length of Service is two years 10 months. The average Length of Service of all UK dependencies is four years.

Sonar 2087

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what frequency is used by Royal Navy Frigates, including any variation, for the purposes of the Sonar 2087 broadcasts.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 13 July 2004
	Sonar 2087 is a Low Frequency Active Sonar which operates below 3Khz. The precise frequency and bandwidth are classified. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which relates to defence.

Sonar 2087

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for the use of the Sonar 2087 by the Royal Navy in Scotland's North West Approaches.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 13 July 2004
	Acceptance trials of Sonar 2087 are scheduled to be conducted in the North West Approaches in July 2005 and mid 2006.

Sustainable Development

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what parts of his Department's estate will not be covered by the commitments set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence is fully committed to the requirements set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's policy statement of 7 July 2000 on the management of safety and environmental protection in the MOD stated that
	"within the United Kingdom, MOD will comply with the Government's Strategy for Sustainable development. Overseas the Department will apply UK standards where reasonably practical and in addition comply with the relevant host nations' standards."

UK Defence Industry (Foreign Ownership)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the level of foreign ownership of the UK defence industry.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 14 July 2004
	The defence industry has changed significantly over the last decade through consolidation and globalisation. The industry is now dominated by a small number of very large companies that have the skills and expertise that are required to manage the largest and most complex defence programmes. In response to these global trends we made clear in our Defence Industrial Policy that the UK defence industry embraces all defence suppliers that create value, employment, technology or intellectual assets in the UK. This includes both UK and foreign owned companies. We welcome foreign direct investment as it can result in technology and innovation developed abroad being applied to domestic production. This enhances competition and competitiveness, significantly helping to develop the UK's high-value, and high-tech business environment. At the same time, UK defence companies continue to make substantial investments overseas.

Iraq

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what searches are under way in Iraq for weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The search for evidence of Weapons of Mass Destruction and their associated programmes in Iraq is being undertaken by the Iraq Survey Group, a combined effort between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
	The ISG has produced two interim reports so far, and a further substantial report is expected later this year. Links to the posted testimony for both reports can be found on the MOD UK Operation Telic website www.mod.uk

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Children in Care

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what monitoring his Department undertakes of the speed with which local authorities (a) submit care orders for processing through the courts and (b) transfer children in their care or custody into foster homes.

Margaret Hodge: It is for local authorities with social services responsibilities to determine the point at which an application is made to the court for an order under section 31 of the Children Act 1989. Each application will depend upon the unique circumstances of the individual case with which they are dealing. In some cases, it will be appropriate for an order to be sought immediately regarding a child with whom the local authority will not previously have had contact. In other cases, social services may have been involved with a family over many years before concerns arise that the section 31 threshold of significant harm has been crossed. In consequence, information on the time elapsed before the submission of care orders is not collected centrally.
	Children entering local authority care are moved into a placement immediately. The majority of children entering care are immediately placed with foster carers. Of the 24,100 children who started to be looked after during the year ending 31 March 2003, 18,600 were initially placed with foster carers immediately.

Sexwise

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with local authorities in England and Wales on the distribution and display of Sexwise posters issued by primary care trusts.

Stephen Twigg: The Sexwise materials were developed following extensive consultation with young people and parents. No specific consultations were held regarding distribution and display arrangements. Sexwise materials can only be ordered by local teenage pregnancy co-ordinators and are issued with strict guidelines on their distribution.

Sexwise

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list (a) primary care trusts and (b) local authorities which are displaying Sexwise safe sex posters.

Stephen Twigg: We do not collect data on which primary care trusts or local authorities are displaying Sexwise posters. Sexwise materials can only be ordered by local teenage pregnancy co-ordinators and are issued with strict guidelines on their distribution. This makes clear that they should not be used in schools, but can be displayed in other youth settings, such as young people's advice clinics.

Aimhigher Programme

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the objectives are of the Aimhigher programme; and how he plans to achieve them.

Alan Johnson: Aimhigher seeks to widen participation in higher education and increase the number of people, particularly young people, who have the abilities and aspirations to benefit from it. The objectives are to:
	raise aspirations and motivation to enter HE among those young people in schools, further education and workplace learning, from under-represented groups;
	raise the attainment of potential HE students who are from under-represented groups, so that they gain the academic or vocational qualifications and learning skills that will enable them to enter HE;
	to strengthen progression routes into HE via vocational courses, including Modern Apprenticeships, whether they are delivered in schools, colleges or the workplace;
	to raise students' aspirations to enter HE and apply to the institution and/or course best able to match their abilities; and
	to improve the attainment, aspirations, motivation and self-esteem of gifted and talented young people aged 14–19; and the quality of identification, provision and support for those students in schools and colleges.
	These objectives will be achieved by local school, university and college partnerships working together to raise aspirations and attainment of young people through activities such as masterclasses, summer schools, university visits, and the mentoring of young people by undergraduates.

Aimhigher Programme

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff are employed on the Aimhigher programme.

Alan Johnson: Information on the number of people who are employed by Aimhigher partnerships is not held centrally. Regions and areas have taken different approaches to the employment of staff. In some areas, there are full time dedicated Aimhigher coordinators, while in others, Aimhigher is part of a jobholder's responsibilities. A number of staff in HE institutions, schools and colleges are also involved in the programme for part of their time, including those teachers and lecturers who deliver summer schools, masterclasses and other activities.

Aimhigher Programme

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the budget is for the Aimhigher programme.

Alan Johnson: The budget for the new Aimhigher programme is £139 million for the academic year 2004–05. The budget for future years is being considered as part of the Spending Review.

Aimhigher Programme

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which areas are included in the Aimhigher programme; and how they were chosen.

Alan Johnson: The White Paper "The Future of Higher Education" announced the bringing together of the Department's Excellence Challenge programme with Partnerships for Progression, an initiative funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), to create a new, national outreach programme called Aimhigher. The new programme will cover all areas of the country from August 2004, and will operate most intensively in disadvantaged areas.

Aimhigher Programme

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what effect he anticipates the new regulations on tuition fees will have on the Aimhigher programme.

Alan Johnson: The measures contained in the Higher Education Act 2004, together with other elements of the new student support package, will support Aimhigher by ensuring that more able young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can access the financial help they need to take up higher education opportunities:
	Up-front tuition fees will be abolished, and all full-time undergraduate students will be able to defer paying their fees until after they graduate;
	Graduates will only start making repayments on their student loan once they are earning over £15,000 and then, at an affordable rate linked to their income, and outstanding loan amounts will be written off after 25 years;
	Around 30 per cent. of students from less well off families will receive a minimum of £3,000 per year in grants and bursaries.
	As a further safeguard, institutions will only be allowed to charge higher tuition fees if they have an Access Plan approved by the Director of the proposed Office for Fair Access. Access Plans will focus on what institutions are doing to encourage more people from less advantaged backgrounds to apply: they will have to say how they will provide bursaries and other financial support to students from lower income backgrounds.
	Evidence shows that young people need clear information about the costs of higher education and the financial support available. Aimhigher seeks to raise awareness about, and understanding of, higher education opportunities and will play an important role in providing this information. Through the Aimhigher roadshow, summer schools and other Aimhigher-supported events, prospective students will have access to information about the costs of higher education and the new financial support package.

Aimhigher Programme

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have attended university as a result of the Aimhigher programme; which universities they went to; and how many students completed their course.

Alan Johnson: A number of factors influence a person's decision to enter higher education including their pre-entry qualifications, the availability of jobs, the influence of family and friends, and their involvement in attainment and aspiration raising activities such as those funded by Aimhigher and its predecessor programmes.
	The national Aimhigher programme starts in August. The two predecessor programmes; the Department's Excellence Challenge, operational since September 2001, and Partnerships for Progression, run by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), operational since April 2003. It is too early to assess the impact on entry to Higher Education (HE), particularly since most activities involve young people aged 13 plus, many of whom will not yet have reached the applications stage.
	However, there are early indications of a rise in applications in Excellence in Cities (EiC) areas where the Excellence Challenge programme operated. In Excellence in Cities areas, applications for 2003 entry were up 4.2 per cent. compared to 2002. Applications from non EiC areas were up only 1.6 per cent. in comparison. In 2003, university acceptances rose by 1.4 per cent. for applicants from EiC areas, compared to a decrease of 0.6 per cent. in non EiC areas.

Carers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in full or part-time education he estimates are carers.

Margaret Hodge: For Higher Education students, data are not available on the number of students who are carers. However, latest data on dependents grants paid to Higher Education students domiciled in England and Wales in 2002–03 indicate that there were around 39,000 grants paid. These grants are those paid to students in respect of dependent children, dependent spouse or partner, other financially dependent adult, childcare, or lone parents.
	For Further Education students, the latest available information shows that, in 2002–03, there were 3,000 learners in England described as "full-time carer for dependant relative living at home". This figure only includes those learners for whom additional funding was claimed.

Chemistry Teaching

Donald Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he will take to arrest the decline of chemistry teaching in universities and institutions of higher education, with particular reference to financial incentives to students.

Alan Johnson: We are currently discussing with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), and a number of other stakeholders how best to safeguard the national provision of scientific subjects, including chemistry. The role of financial incentives for students is relevant to this discussion. With the advent of variable fees, Higher Education Institutions will have flexibility to vary the level of fees for particular courses. There is also a role for bursary schemes such as that already announced by the Institute of Physics for students of Physics.

GSCE Results (Barnsley and Doncaster)

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 15 and 16-year-old pupils in (a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster achieved more than five GCSEs at grade A* to C or GNVQ equivalent in each of the last seven years.

David Miliband: The information requested is in the table:
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(5) achieving 5 ormore grades A*-C
		
			 Local education authority Barnsley Doncaster England 
		
		
			 1997 28.6 33.8 45.1 
			 1998 29.8 34.1 46.3 
			 1999 32.4 36.2 47.9 
			 2000 34.9 36.8 49.2 
			 2001 35.1 39.9 50.0 
			 2002 35.4 39.6 51.6 
			 2003 39.3 40.2 52.9 
		
	
	(5) GCSE/GNVQ results are reported as standard as the results of pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year i.e. 31 August, and therefore reaching the end of compulsory education at the end of the school year.

Holiday Activities

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what activities his Department are funding for children and young people over the summer holiday period; and how much funding will be made available.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for Education and Skills and Big Lottery Fund joined forces with the Youth Justice Board, Home Office and Department for Culture Media and Sport to combine previous holiday activity schemes and deliver a Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) programme. It is designed to divert and develop those young people aged 8–19 most at risk of social exclusion and committing crime and to steer their energy in a positive direction. It is being delivered across England from May 2003 to March 2006. £25 million funding for activities is available for the current year. A further £13.75 million is provided, annually, by the DfES to fund keyworkers throughout England.
	Provision takes place in all of the school holiday periods. The largest proportion of the budget is planned to be spent over the summer period but detailed information is not available. Regional Government offices have the flexibility to manage local needs and it is for them to decide upon the balance of provision. In addition to activities one to one support is available for the most at risk young people.
	The programme comprises quality arts, sports and cultural activities and encourages young people to continue in these activities after the programme ends. It aims to bring together young people from different geographical and ethnic minority communities to help break down prejudices and misunderstanding.

Jarvis

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on how many occasions Jarvis has failed to meet contractual obligations with regard to the completion of education public-private partnerships.

Stephen Twigg: I am able to answer the question only with regard to education public private partnerships in schools in England. In this context the Department is not aware of any occasions when Jarvis has failed to meet contractual obligations.

Modern Apprenticeships

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of 16 to 19-year-olds enrolled on modern apprenticeships (a) left the programme early, (b) achieved only the NVQ and (c) achieved the full framework in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) 2003–04.

Ivan Lewis: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) routinely publish outcomes data for Apprenticeships in the Statistical First Release series "Further Education and Work Based Learning for Young People—Learner Outcomes in England", available to download from the LSC website: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/National/Documents/SubjectListing/SectorData/StatisticalFirstReleases/default.htm. Outcomes of learners who were aged 16 to 18 at the start of their programme, and who left an apprenticeship in 2002/03 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Programme Completed framework (x) Achieved NVQ only (y) Total NVQ achievement (x+y) Total leavers 
			  Number Percentage(6) Number Percentage Number Percentage2,3 Number 
		
		
			 Advanced Apprenticeships 11,200 38 3,100 10 14,300 49 29,400 
			 Apprenticeships (at level 2) 16,500 25 8,600 13 25,100 38 65,800 
			 All Apprenticeships (8) 27,800 29 11,700 12 39,400 41 95,200 
		
	
	(6) Routinely referred to as the framework completion rate.
	(7) Routinely referred to as the NVQ success rate.
	(8) Totals may not equal sum of columns or rows due to rounding.
	Source:
	LSC Statistical First Release: Further Education and Work Based Learning for
	Young People—Learner Outcomes in England: 2002/03, ref. id ILR/SFR04.
	As the academic year has not yet ended, outcomes data for the whole of 2003/04 are not available. Provisional outcomes data for 2003/04 will be published on the LSC website in November 2004. Early year data indicates that the NVQ success rate for 16 to 18-year-olds on apprenticeships has increased to 42 per cent. in the year to 31 January 2004, from 41 per cent. in the year to 31 January 2003.

Modern Apprenticeships

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the budget from modern apprenticeships in (a) 2005–06 and (b) 2006–07 is allocated to businesses to convert their existing training for young workers into modern apprenticeships; and what proportion that represents in each of those financial years of the total training allocation for modern apprenticeships.

Ivan Lewis: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive, will write to the hon. Friend with this information and copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Multiplication Tables

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of primary schools he estimates teaches the multiplication tables.

Stephen Twigg: Since the introduction of the National Numeracy Strategy in 1999, the learning and teaching of multiplication tables has been one of the main elements of the daily mathematics lesson in primary schools. The National Numeracy framework for teachers sets out key teaching objectives for each year from reception to year six and pupils are expected to know by heart number facts such as multiplication tables. Although the Strategy is not statutory, it is followed in the vast majority of primary schools in England.
	Since 1998, the proportion of 11 year olds achieving a Level 4 in mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2 has risen by 14 percentage points from 59 to 73 per cent.

Recycling

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are in place to ensure schemes for recycling (a) waste paper and (b) other recyclable goods are available in all educational establishments.

David Miliband: Local authorities are responsible for recycling schemes in their areas. Some local authorities operate schemes to encourage recycling of materials by schools. All local authorities have to report annually to DEFRA on their recycling performance which encourages them to develop schemes to separate waste and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. There are also a number of voluntary schemes in operation to promote recycling in the educational sector some of which are listed at www.teachernet.gov.uk/growingschools.

SEN Teaching

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the Department spent on research into the effectiveness of special education needs teaching in each of the last three years; and if he will list the projects funded.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The Department has developed a considerable research programme on special educational needs, funded through the Department's Research Budget and individual policy programme budgets. In total, since 2001/02 financial year the Department has spent approximately £1,900,000 on research into special educational needs. Of this, approximately £300,000 was spent on research which addressed the issue of the effectiveness of SEN teaching.
	In 2001/02 financial year the total spent on research into the effectiveness of SEN teaching was £25,000; in 2002/03 the total spent was £9,000; in 2003/04 the total was £142,714; and in 2004/05 the total was £120,730. These projects were: Teaching Strategies and Approaches for Pupils with SEN: a scoping study.
	Inclusion and Pupil Achievement.
	Raising the Achievement of Children with Specific Language and Communication Difficulties: Key Stage 4 to work and college.
	Early Years Transition and SEN.
	What Works for Children with Mathematical Difficulties.

South-West Schools

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) school places and (b) pupils there were in each local education authority in the South West in each of the last three years.

David Miliband: The requested information on school places is not available for 2002 and 2004. Figures relating to primary and secondary school places for 2001 and 2003 are given in table 1. Pupil numbers for 2001, 2002 and 2003 (position as at January each year) are given in table 2.
	
		Table 1: Maintained primary and secondary schools(9): number (headcount) of pupils(10)—position as at May each year—by local education authority areas within the South West Government Office Region
		
			  2001 3 2003 4 
			  Primary Secondary Primary Secondary 
		
		
			 South West 417,052 321,379 423,720 338,506 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 13,350 12,588 13,680 13,018 
			 Bournemouth 10,695 10,647 11,838 10,193 
			 Bristol, City of 31,758 19,117 30,828 19,301 
			 Cornwall 42,243 29,114 43,130 33,432 
			 Devon 58,560 40,095 58,331 42,472 
			 Dorset 26,585 30,553 27,738 31,747 
			 Gloucestershire 50,698 37,806 49,258 42,178 
			 Isles of Scilly 242 160 265 (13)— 
			 North Somerset 15,146 12,685 15,064 11,781 
			 Plymouth 22,265 18,264 22,582 18,877 
			 Poole 11,160 8,747 11,262 8,422 
			 Somerset 40,402 33,552 42,650 34,721 
			 South Gloucestershire 24,758 17,400 25,686 18,206 
			 Swindon 19,676 11,744 18,702 12,339 
			 Torbay 9,755 8,884 10,323 9,037 
			 Wiltshire 39,759 30,023 42,383 32,782 
		
	
	(9) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(10) Excludes nursery pupils.
	(11) 2001 capacity figures based on More Open Enrolment calculation.
	(12) 2003 capacity figures based on net capacity calculation.
	(13) not applicable. No schools of this type.
	Source:
	Surplus Places Survey
	
		Table 2: Maintained primary and secondary schools (14): number (headcount) of pupils(15)—position as at January each year—by local education authority areas within the South West Government Office Region
		
			  2001 2002 2003 
			  Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Primary Secondary 
		
		
			 South West 399,918 314,652 397,169 319,420 393,290 324,255 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 12,924 12,273 12,791 12,266 12,665 12,363 
			 Bournemouth 11,449 9,770 11,226 9,900 11,145 9,961 
			 Bristol, City of 31,597 17,907 31,200 17,873 30,683 17,815 
			 Cornwall 41,146 32,011 41,054 32,323 40,855 32,763 
			 Devon 56,503 39,832 56,159 40,872 55,679 41,696 
			 Dorset 25,374 29,319 25,177 29,814 25,085 30,243 
			 Gloucestershire 46,407 38,165 45,814 39,057 45,314 39,868 
			 Isles of Scilly 140 124 148 117 265 (16)— 
			 North Somerset 14,927 12,269 14,916 12,549 14,922 12,775 
			 Plymouth 21,285 18,829 20,968 18,982 20,431 19,008 
			 Poole 11,250 8,197 11,134 8,327 10,897 8,559 
			 Somerset 38,894 31,214 38,707 31,928 38,384 32,737 
			 South Gloucestershire 23,462 16,442 23,577 16,479 23,331 16,872 
			 Swindon 17,901 11,561 17,626 11,554 17,347 11,579 
			 Torbay 10,328 8,708 10,399 8,863 10,325 9,024 
			 Wiltshire 36,331 28,031 36,273 28,516 35,962 28,992 
		
	
	(14) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(15) Includes nursery pupils.
	(16) not applicable. No school of this type.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Student Loans

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of undergraduates from each social group applied for student loans during their higher education course in each of the last five years.

Alan Johnson: Data on the percentage of student loan applications from each social group are not available.
	Data are available on the take-up rate of student loans for all eligible students in the United Kingdom and are shown in the table.
	
		Percentage take-up of student loans by eligible population—United Kingdom(17)—academic years 1998/99 to 2002/03 (provisional)
		
			 Academic year Income contingent loans(18) Mortgage style loans(19) All students 
		
		
			 1998/99 69 68 68 
			 1999/2000 76 66 72 
			 2000/01 80 65 78 
			 2001/02 82 69 81 
			 2002/03(20) 81 70 81 
		
	
	(17) Student loans are available to eligible students normally domiciled in the United Kingdom.
	(18) Students starting their course in 1998/99 or later under the new arrangements.
	(19) Students who entered higher education up to 1997/98 and those who entered in 1998/99 to whom existing arrangements still applied.
	(20) Provisional.
	Source:
	Student Loans Company.

Teachers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what incentives he plans to introduce to encourage more teachers to teach (a) science, (b) foreign languages and (c) music.

David Miliband: Since 1998, the Government has paid in full the tuition fees of all home and European students taking Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses in England. In September 2000, this was supplemented by the introduction of £6,000 training bursaries for PGCE students and £4,000 Golden Hellos for those going on to teach mathematics, science, modern languages, technology or English. As a result of these incentives, total recruitment to teacher training rose by 31 per cent. between 1999–2000 and 2003–04. Over the same period, recruitment rose in science by 21 per cent., in modern languages by 24 per cent. and in music by 19 per cent.
	On 28 June, my right hon. Friend announced that the value of the training bursary for students taking PGCE courses in mathematics will be raised to £7,000 from September 2005, and that the Golden Hello for mathematics will also rise to £5,000 for those starting PGCEs from 2005–06. On 12 July, parallel measures for science were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The effectiveness of the current recruitment incentives for modern languages, music and other subjects will be kept under review and any changes announced at the appropriate time.

Unitised Courses (Further Education)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to permit modules and unitised courses in further education colleges.

Stephen Twigg: Colleges of further education are already permitted to offer unitised courses. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will fund unitised programmes for adult learners that consist of units of approved qualifications. The LSC generally expects the learning aim for young people to be a full qualification.

Weston-Super-Mare After-school Facilities

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has for after-school facilities for young people in Weston-Super-Mare constituency.

David Miliband: The Government's objective is that all schools should offer a programme of out of school hours study support. For 2004–05, all local education authorities and schools have received government funding through the School Development Grant to support such activities. Somerset LEA has received a total School Development Grant of £6,588,122. It is for local authorities and schools to determine what provision will best meet the needs of the young people in the area.
	In addition, the Big Lottery Fund awarded an out of school hours learning school sports co-ordinator grant to Wyvern Community College in September 2002. This grant runs to 2005 and aims to benefit 33 schools in the Weston-Super-Mare area.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts his Department is making in conjunction with the Afghanistan Government to promote education in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: In agreement with the Afghan Transitional Administration, the UK focuses its efforts on a limited number of areas. DFID is currently working to build the capacity of key line ministries, promote rural development and sustainable rural livelihoods, enable effective governance and economic management and facilitate security sector reform.
	DFID does, though, provide significant resources through both our contributions to multilateral organisations and as direct contributions to the Afghan Reconstruction Fund (£30 million 2003–04; £45 million in 2004–05), which supports Afghanistan's wider development needs, including in education.
	Since the fall of the Taliban, more than 4 million children have returned to school, 37 per cent. of which are girls. There are now 70,000 teachers (1/3 are women) and 6,500 schools. In March 2002, 20,000 students sat university entrance exams.

HIV/AIDS

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the most recent figures collected by the World Health Organisation are for (a) the number of people suffering from AIDS and (b) the countries most affected.

Hilary Benn: The most recent figures available are those given in the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) "4th Global Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic" which will be deposited in the Libraries of the House shortly. The report is the product of data collected by both UNAIDS and WHO (World Health Organisation).
	Today, some 37.8 million people (range: 34.6–42.3 million) are living with HIV and AIDS. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the hardest hit region with an estimated 25 million people infected with HIV. The countries most affected are: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

India

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response he will make to the United Nations Development Programme estimate that 223 million Indians do not have enough to eat.

Hilary Benn: Although India has achieved self-sufficiency in food at a national level, chronic hunger remains due to problems of access and distribution. There are an estimated 233 million (1998–2000) undernourished people, with particular problems among women, scheduled castes, adolescent girls and under-fives (over 50 per cent. undernourished).
	DFID is committed to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target to half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015. DFID's Country Assistance Plan for India recognises the challenge associated with the hunger MDG target and has supported analysis of food security in India and other Asian countries. DFID-supported programmes in India that most directly impact on hunger poverty include rural livelihoods projects that reduce the vulnerability of poor people and their access to services (total of 154 million over seven projects) and support to government's primary education programmes including the mid-day meals scheme. DFID India also supports the Indian government to promote pro-poor economic growth, which is closely associated with the reduction of both income poverty and hunger.

Malaria

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes the Government are supporting for the eradication of malaria; and what means are being used to remove malaria breeding grounds in Africa.

Hilary Benn: There is no magic bullet for eradicating malaria. Removing malaria-breeding sites has proved to be a poor strategy for most countries in Africa. A few have tried, using approaches such as larva eating fish in water tanks and water management programmes, but the results have been mixed. Early attempts in the 1950s to eradicate malaria have been tempered by the complexities of the disease and its vector—the mosquito. The global strategy has shifted to one of control rather than eradication: to 'roll back' malaria. Any strategy needs to take into account many factors: man, climate, mosquito and parasite. The main components of an effective response are to ensure early effective treatment, and to prevent mosquito bites through the use of insecticide-treated bed nets. Malaria parasites are developing very high levels of resistance to one drug after another. Therefore, continued drug research and development is necessary.
	Nevertheless, effective low-cost strategies are available for malaria treatment, prevention and control. The Roll Back Malaria (RBM) global partnership is vigorously promoting them in Africa. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) can reduce malaria transmission, and lives can be saved by prompt access to treatment with effective up-to-date medicines such as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). The Department for International Development (DFID) is actively engaged in the international effort to control malaria. DFID is providing £48 million to RBM for the period 1999 to 2004 and has have pledged £140 million for the period 2005–08 to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Since 1997, DFID has committed £1.5 billion to support health systems strengthening globally.
	While national governments determine their own drug policies, DFID fully supports the World Health Organisation's recommendation to scale up the use of the more effective ACTs as the first line of treatment where there is significant resistance to traditional anti-malarial drugs. DFID is also supporting the RBM Partnership in developing a "road map" to increase access to ACTs and also supports a number of public-private partnerships with industry to research and bring new anti-malarial drugs to the market.

Palestine

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) financial and (b) food assistance his Department is offering to the Palestinian Authority in (i) West Bank and (ii) Gaza.

Hilary Benn: Planned development expenditure for Palestinians this financial year is £28.5 million. £16.15 million of this is planned for technical assistance and financial support to the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian Civil Society. This covers both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. DFID's funds are not specifically allocated to either area. £12.35 million is planned for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. This provides basic services for Palestinian refugees in the region, including food assistance for the most needy refugees in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Polio

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on eradicating polio in Africa.

Hilary Benn: The UK is fully committed to eradicating polio. DFID has been working with G8 partners, other donors and the World Health Organisation-led Global Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) to help ensure that there is sufficient financial and political commitment to eradicate polio by end 2005. Since 1988 the UK has contributed some £225 million (including bilateral commitments) to the PEI out of a total global commitment of US $3 billion. Through DFID's country programmes, we support national efforts in Africa to step-up polio immunisation, and strengthen health systems and routine immunisation. Since 1997, the UK has committed £1.5 billion to strengthening health systems globally.
	Already millions of children have been spared the crippling effects of polio and only six countries remain polio-endemic (including Egypt, Niger and Nigeria), compared with 125 in 1988. However this progress is now at risk following the importation of the poliovirus into 10 previously polio-free countries across Africa.
	DFID welcomes the decision by 22 African nations in May, to launch a massive immunisation effort to prevent a possible epidemic in the region. DFID has been working closely with the PEI and other donors to secure the funding and political commitment necessary to support the efforts of affected countries and to resolve the risks to the polio eradication campaign. At the Sea Island summit in June, G8 members including the UK promised to take all necessary steps to eradicate polio by 2005. The UK holds the G8 Presidency in 2005 and we shall maintain the momentum needed to ensure that the G8 and other public and private donors provide sufficient political and financial resources to eradicate polio once and for all.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Aerial Appliances (Fire Safety)

Alice Mahon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what full review the West Yorkshire Fire Service has undertaken since 1994 and prior to the present review of aerial appliance provision in accordance with guidance issued in DCOL 1/1994; what the outcomes were; what empirical evidence was used in previous reviews and how it differed from the present review; what over-provision in (a) the number and type of appliances and (b) crewing patterns were identified by the chief fire officer in past reviews; and whether these options for reduction were brought to the attention of the fire authority.

Nick Raynsford: Following receipt of DCOL 1/94 guidance, aerial appliance provision was reviewed in West Yorkshire in 1994 and 2002. Any further information on the outcomes of the reviews should be directed to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

Aerial Appliances (Fire Safety)

Alice Mahon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the West Yorkshire Fire Service has identified appropriate response standards with regard to attendance times for aerial appliances following the removal of national standards; what the attendance times for aerial appliances within the Halifax area will be; what the attendance times for aerial back up to Halifax will be if the appliance is unavailable owing to the dual crewing proposal; and which dual pump/aerial appliances have been identified as presenting a suitable alternative to the present arrangements.

Nick Raynsford: The Integrated Risk Management Plan proposes that, with the withdrawal of DCOL 1/94 guidance, aerial attendance times can now be based on the same premise as other special appliances, i.e. as fast an attendance as possible based on strategic location. Information about attendance times for appliances in Halifax would best be directed to West Yorkshire Fire Service.

Aerial Appliances (Fire Safety)

Alice Mahon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what risk assessments have been undertaken prior to the removal of the attendance of aerial appliances from automatic fire alarm actuations; what effect he estimates these will have on (a) commercial and (b) residential properties and occupiers' fire safety plans; and what effect he expects the reduction in aerial appliances to have on (i) standard operating procedures when attending incidents in high rise premises and (ii) the time taken before intervention by firefighters.

Nick Raynsford: A comprehensive review of all operational activity over the past five years has been undertaken by West Yorkshire Fire Authority. A formal consultation exercise is currently ongoing in relation to the findings of this review. It concludes on 13 September and includes representative bodies, local authorities and neighbouring brigades. Standard operating procedures relevant to high rise, commercial and residential properties are not based upon the use of an aerial appliance, however, if one is needed it can be called upon. Occupiers' fire safety plans have no dependence on the attendance of an aerial appliance.

Brownfield Sites

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding the time taken by the Environment Agency to give consent to plans for the cleaning up of brownfield sites; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister works closely with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and with the Environment Agency on issues relating to the treatment and disposal of contaminated soils in order to achieve the timely and effective remediation of brownfield land.

Children (Temporary Accommodation)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many children were living in temporary accommodation in Hampshire in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected quarterly, although the-number of children living in temporary accommodation is not available.
	Information on the number of households that contain dependent children and/or expectant mothers in various types of temporary accommodation has been collected since March 2002. The following table shows the number of households in temporary accommodation in Hampshire since March 2002 and how many of these households contained dependent children and/or an expectant mother.
	
		Homeless households in temporary accommodation in Hampshire, and those that include dependent(21) children
		
			 As at 31 March All households Households with dependant 1 children 
		
		
			 2002 2,200 1,300 
			 2003 2,500 1,600 
			 2004 2,500 2,000 
		
	
	l Includes households with an expectant mother.
	Note:
	Rounded totals include estimates for any non-response.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly).

Departmental Publications

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many departmental publications are in storage; and where they are located.

Phil Hope: There are currently some 1,470 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's publication titles held at the Office's distribution contractor's premises near Wetherby, West Yorkshire. This comprises free and priced material, and includes posters, alternative language versions, and other media such as video and audiocassette, and some where there is no physical stock but copies are available on demand.
	There are also some 100 non-parliamentary Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's publication titles published and distributed by the commercial publisher, TSO, on behalf of Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. These are held in South West London, although decisions on retention and storage are a matter for the publisher who may also rely on the use of on-demand printing facilities to meet the demand for copies.

Fire Service

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Local Government Minister next plans to meet firefighters' representatives to discuss the industrial dispute.

Nick Raynsford: The firefighters' industrial dispute is primarily a matter between the Fire and Rescue Services Employers and the Fire Brigades Union. I have no plans to discuss the dispute with firefighters' representatives.

Green Belt

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has regarding Green Belt provision in the Thames Gateway development area.

Phil Hope: Policy on Green Belt provision in the Thames Gateway is no different from any other area of England. The Government remain committed to maintaining or increasing the amount of Green Belt in every region. Any proposals for changes to Green Belt boundaries should be considered through the development plan process and exceptional circumstances will need to be demonstrated before such changes are approved. In addition, Green Belt policies set out in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) note 2 will continue to apply to any planning applications for the development of Green Belt land in the Thames Gateway.
	One of the key features of the Thames Gateway as a suitable location for sustainable development is the presence of a substantial reservoir of previously developed and brownfield land. The Gateway is estimated to contain some 2 per cent. of the land area of the South East but 17 per cent. of its current supply of previously developed land. In all, it contains 3,000 hectares of brownfield sites—the largest such resource of previously developed land close to a capital city in Europe.
	The national target for development on previously developed land is 60 per cent. In the period 1997–2000, an estimated 80 per cent. of new dwellings in the Gateway were built on previously developed land. The targeted investment now being mobilised through funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Transport and Regional Development Agencies aims to maintain this trend by increasing the viability and potential development density on key sites in the Gateway.

Green Belt

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport regarding the provision of transport infrastructure for the Thames Gateway development area; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Department for Transport have regular discussions regarding transport infrastructure in the Thames Gateway, both at official and ministerial level.
	Government have already committed £600 million to transport schemes in the Thames Gateway. Committed schemes include the Docklands Light Railway extension to City airport; dual carriageway development of A228 in Grain; the first phase of West Thurrock ring road; and the A249 (Iwade to Queensborough) second Swale Crossing in Kent.

Green Belt

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his assessment is of the impact of the provision of transport infrastructure in the Thames Gateway development area on the green belt.

Phil Hope: Policy on Green Belt in the Thames Gateway is no different from any other area of England. The Government remain committed to maintaining or increasing the amount of Green Belt in every region. Any proposals for changes to Green Belt boundaries should be considered through the development plan process and exceptional circumstances will need to be demonstrated before such changes are approved. In addition, Green Belt policies set out in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) note 2 will continue to apply to any planning applications for the development of Green Belt land in the Thames Gateway.
	Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 13 on Transport also applies in the Thames Gateway as elsewhere. It states that care must be taken to avoid or minimise the environmental impact of any new transport infrastructure projects, and that wherever possible appropriate measures should be implemented to mitigate their impacts. For transport proposals such as roads and rail lines, which are likely to have significant environmental effects, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required before development consent is granted.

Housing

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of housing waiting lists in the South West; and what action he intends to take to reduce waiting lists in the south-west.

Keith Hill: Social housing waiting lists are a key part of the evidence considered by local housing authorities in preparing assessments of local housing need. These assessments are used by the authorities in developing their housing strategies. The provision of new affordable housing is the number one priority of the South West Housing Body who will be investing £188 million in 2004–05 and 2005–06 to deliver over 6,000 affordable homes across the south-west region.

Housing

Adrian Flook: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to facilitate an increase in the number of housing units made available (a) in Taunton Deane by (i) Taunton Deane borough council and (ii) housing associations and (b) in West Somerset by housing associations.

Keith Hill: The South West Housing Body (SWHB) has allocated £733,000 to Taunton Deane borough council in 2004–05 to support capital expenditure on housing including the provision of new affordable homes. The SWHB through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme (ADP) has allocated £2.4 million over the 2004–05 and 2005–06 financial years. This will enable housing associations to deliver around 84 affordable homes in the District of Taunton Deane. The SWHB has also allocated through the ADP £2.02 million over 2004–05 and 2005–06 which will enable housing associations to deliver around 47 affordable homes in the District of West Somerset.

Housing

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the estimates he has made of increases in housing supply take account of the protection of Green Belt land.

Keith Hill: Yes.

Local Community Partnerships

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will ensure that, when local community partnerships are sponsoring a major flagship regeneration project in their area, they engage in a full and open public consultation programme, including public meetings with their local communities.

Phil Hope: The term "local community partnerships" covers a wide spectrum of arrangements for partnership working, not all of which are subject to guidance from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. However where we have the lead on local partnership working, guidance always stresses the need for community consultation, involvement and engagement. Any project which involves development will be subject to approval through the planning system. There are extensive requirements for public consultation and engagement in planning decisions. New requirements are being introduced under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 for each local authority to produce a 'Statement of Community Involvement' setting out how it will engage the community in both plan making and major decisions. For Neighbourhood Renewal policies and programmes—such as New Deal for Communities or Neighbourhood Management—community involvement is an indispensable element and partnerships could not expect continuing support if they failed to apply guidance.

Toll Roads

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport regarding the proposed new toll road linking Birmingham and Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was consulted on the proposal. This proposal is consistent with the recent Regional Planning Guidance for the West Midlands. This Guidance, which incorporates the regional Transport Strategy, recognises the need for the widening of M6 from junctions 11a to 19. The consultation paper issued by the Secretary of State for Transport makes clear that before any decisions are taken, a careful assessment will be made of the wider social, economic and environmental impacts of any potential scheme, and of the scope for high quality measures to mitigate environmental impacts.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Accountancy Advice

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many contracts have been let by his Department in each financial year since 2001–02 to (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte and Touche, (c) KPMG and (d) Ernst and Young for advising his Department on private finance initiative and public private partnership contracts; and what fees were paid in each case.

Jane Kennedy: DWP was established in June 2001. Information on the number of contracts and respective fees is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	We are, however, able to provide total spend by this Department with these accountancy firms as follows. Information for 2003–04 is not yet available.
	
		£ million
		
			  2001–02 (estimate)(21) 2002–03 
		
		
			 Deloitte and Touche 8.1 4.2 
			 Ernst and Young (22)2.3 3.5 
			 KPMG 1.1 2.6 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers 0.5 1.4 
		
	
	(21) The figures for 2001–02 are for the complete year and are estimates of the spend for the legacy organisations.
	(22) Cap Gemini Ernst and Young.

New Deal

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total expenditure on each New Deal programme has been in the period 1997–98 to 2003–04; and, of this, how much has been spent on (a) departmental administrative costs and (b) payments to external providers.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested on the total expenditure on each New Deal programme and departmental administrative costs is in the DWP Departmental Report 2004 which is available in the Library.
	Information on payments to external providers is in the table.
	
		Payments to external providers
		
			 £ million 
			  1997–98(23) 1998–99(23) 1999–2000(23) 2000–01(23) 2001–02(23) 2002–03(23) 2003–04(24) 
		
		
			 New Deal for young people 12 98 174 214 159 150 180 
			 New Deal 25 plus n/a 12 28 24 99 96 115 
			 New Deal for over 50s n/a n/a n/a 2 2 2 3 
			 New Deal for lone parents n/a n/a 2 3 1 4 3 
			 New Deal for disabled people n/a n/a 15 6 1 16 26 
			 New Deal for partners n/a n/a n/a 1 1 0 0 
		
	
	(23) Outturn
	(24) Forecast outturn
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus

New Deal

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of expenditure on payments to external providers in each New Deal scheme in each year since 1997–98, broken down by (a) overhead costs, (b) profits, (c) payment to other providers and (d) other payments for which information is available.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not available.

New Deal

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on each New Deal programme in 2003–04, broken down by (a) subsidies to employers, (b) payments to external providers, (c) payments to participants and (d) departmental administrative costs.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is in the table.
	
		New Deal forecast-outturn by expenditure type 2003–04 -- £ million
		
			 Total expenditure Subsidies to employers Payment to external providers Payments to participants Departmental administrative costs 
		
		
			 New Deal for young people 12 180 65 93 
			 New Deal 25 plus 10 115 58 62 
			 New Deal for over 50s 0 3 1 5 
			 New Deal for lone parents 0 3 16 47 
			 New Deal for disabled people 0 26 1 15 
			 New Deal for partners 0 0 0 4 
		
	
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus

Departmental Estate

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what has been the total floor space area of buildings owned or leased by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies for each year from 1997 to date.

Jane Kennedy: The information that is available about floor space is held at departmental level only and is provided in the following table.
	A detailed record of the size of the former DSS estate is available since 1 April 1998, when the estate was re-measured and agreed under contractual terms following its transfer to our private sector partners, LandSecurities Trillium (LST), under the PRIME (Private sector Resource Initiative for the Management of the Estate) PFI contract.
	Information about the size of the former Employment Service estate is available only from April 2004 subsequent to a further detailed measuring exercise undertaken when the PRIME PFI contract was extended to include the former Employment Service estate. Information prior to this date is not available and can be constructed only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Size of DSS estate—April 1998 to 31 March 2004, size of DWP estate from April 2004
		
			 Departmental (estate) DSS April: PRIME(25) M(26) Non PRIME(26) M(26) Total size (million m(26) rounded) 
		
		
			 DSS 1998 1,600,000.00 115,000.00 1.715 
			 DSS 1999 1,575,253.08 112,000.00 1.687 
			 DSS 2000 1,564,627.26 110,000.00 1.675 
			 DSS(27) 2001 1,569,265.98 108,000.00 1.677 
			 DSS 2002 1,589,457.00 107,000.00 1.696 
			 DSS 2003 1,627,182.03 105,000.00 1.732 
			 DWP 2004 2,481,539.62 108,000.00 2.590 
		
	
	(25) PRIME space is occupied under the terms of the PRIME PFI contract and includes space occupied by Other Government Departments (OGDs) within DWP buildings.
	(26) Non PRIME space is where DWP has a part occupation in the building of another Government Department not managed by LST.
	(27) The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001.

Disability Discrimination Act

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated regarding (i) the extent to which blind and partially sighted people are excluded from paid employment in the UK and (ii) the attitudes of employers and service providers towards blind and partially-sighted people.

Maria Eagle: This Department is responsible for a programme of research in respect of disability and employment, including research that produces findings on people who are blind or partially sighted. In addition, the Department undertakes regular analysis of the Labour Force Survey in order to calculate employment rates for visually impaired people.
	"Disability in the Workplace: Employers' and Service Providers' responses to the DDA in 2003 and preparation for 2004 changes" by Roberts et al (DWP Research Report Series no. 202) asked employers about their attitudes towards employing someone with impaired vision; this research suggested that employers attitudes towards this group tended to be relatively negative, compared to other groups. A copy of this report is in the Library.
	The Government are committed to increasing employment rates for all disabled people, and blind and partially-sighted people have full access to the services of Jobcentre Plus. However, we recognise that more needs to be done to raise awareness of employers' responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act; we are conducting a wide-ranging campaign to raise awareness among employers and service providers of current and forthcoming duties and to highlight the benefits that disabled employees can bring to a business.

Pension Credit (Northampton, North)

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Northampton, North are in receipt of the pension credit.

Malcolm Wicks: At the end of June, 4,035 pensioner households in Northampton, North, comprising 4,900 individuals, were in receipt of pension credit.
	Notes:
	1. Figures rounded to the nearest five.
	2. The figure for individuals in receipt of pension credit includes a small number of partners under age 60.

Environmental Sustainability

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much (a) his Department and (b) agencies of the Department have spent on water and sewerage services for each year from 1997 to date.

Chris Pond: Expenditure for water and sewerage services for the Department since it came into being in 2001, including all its agencies, is given in the following table:
	
		£
		
			  Water Sewerage 
		
		
			 2001–02 1,403,739 1,853,059 
			 2002–03 1,527,777 1,893,489 
		
	
	Note:
	It is not possible to provide an accurate breakdown by agency, due to multi-occupancy buildings.
	The figures for 2003–04 are in the process of being finalised and will be placed in the Library in due course.
	The Department continues to report its progress on the Water Service targets within the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government estate within the annual Sustainable Development in Government Report. Copies of the report can be found on the Sustainable Development in Government website.

Environmental Sustainability

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which non-office sites within his Department's estate have been identified as being likely to provide opportunities for significant water savings.

Chris Pond: The whole of the Department for Work and Pensions' estate is designated as office based. This information is reported in the Sustainable Development in Government Second Annual Report 2003, copies of which can be found on the Sustainable Development in Government website.

Stakeholder Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many businesses with more than five employees are not complying with legislation on the provision of employees with access to a stakeholder pension.

Malcolm Wicks: The requirement to designate a stakeholder pension scheme applies to all firms with five or more employees who do not provide their workforce with access to a company pension scheme that would otherwise exempt them. Estimates of the number of firms who were compliant with the requirement to designate have previously been based on cumulative quarterly data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) these figures have now become out of date.
	More recent data from the 2003 Employers Pension Provision Survey and from the DTI Small Business Service has enabled us to update our estimate of the level of compliance with the requirement for employers with five or more staff to offer their workers access to a stakeholder pension scheme.
	On the basis of these we estimate that some 70,000 employers may not be compliant with the requirement to designate a stakeholder pension scheme at any one time 1 .
	We will continue to work with employers so they are aware of the important role they play in helping their employees provide for their retirement. If this proves unsuccessful we will consider further measures.
	1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000 firms

Stakeholder Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many businesses have been (a) prosecuted and (b) successfully prosecuted for failing to provide employees with access to a stakeholder pension.

Malcolm Wicks: The great majority of employers are complying with the requirement to designate a stakeholder pension scheme. The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) has taken a proactive approach, engaging with employers to encourage them to comply with the law, rather than resorting to legal proceedings. Civil sanctions (fines) are only considered where there is a serious breach or the employer is considered to be deliberately evading the law.
	So far Opra has only needed to fine two employers. One of these employers has asked Opra for a review of the decision. The review has yet to take place.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many individuals received a grant from the Arts Council England in the last year worth (a) under £1,000, (b) between £1,000 to £4,999, (c) between £5,000 to £9,999, (d) between £10,000 to £19,999, (e) between £20,000 to £49,999, (f) between £50,000 to £99,999 and (g) over £100,000.

Estelle Morris: The table, supplied by Arts Council England, provides a breakdown of the information requested.
	
		Grants for the Arts, Individuals: 31 March 2003 to 1 April 2004
		
			 Award amount Number of awards Total amount awarded (£) 
		
		
			 under £1,000 301 173,056 
			 between £1,000 to £4,999 762 2,438,520 
			 between £5,000 to £9,999 240 1,442,221 
			 between £10,000 to £19,999 63 881,019 
			 between £20,000 to £49,999 25 662,086 
			 between £50,000 to £99,999 2 114,560 
			 over £100,000 0 0 
			 Total Awards 1,393 5,711,462

Arts Council

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how individual recipients of Arts Council England grants are accountable for the way they spend their grant.

Estelle Morris: All recipients of Arts Council England grants are subject to a set of Standard Conditions for Grants, available on Arts Council England's website www.artscouncil.org.uk. If any of these conditions are not met, recipients may have to pay back all or part of their grant.
	To ensure the conditions are being followed, all recipients are monitored and must provide regular progress reports and accounts.

Arts Council

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what purposes recording artists have received a grant from Arts Council England since 1997.

Estelle Morris: Arts Council England does not have a specific funding category for the award of grants to recording artists and therefore does not hold records of this nature.
	Grants can be awarded to recording artists for the purpose of rehearsing, performing, touring and recording.

Departmental Expenditure

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost was of running her Department's canteen facilities in (a) 1997–98 and (b) the last year for which figures are available.

Richard Caborn: The information is as follows:
	(a) DCMS did not have a canteen in 1997–98.
	(b) A catering facility was opened in 2001, and in the 2003–04 year, cost £67,431.

Departmental Expenditure

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's expenditure was on (a) head-hunters and recruitment consultants and (b) management consultants in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) the last year for which figures are available.

Richard Caborn: The table shows departmental expenditure on management consultants. An analysis of expenditure on head-hunters and recruitment consultants is not recorded on the Department's accounting system and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1997–98 113,527,53 
			 2003–04 (28)10,170.94 
		
	
	(28) Provisional pending finalisation of annual accounts.

Departmental Expenditure

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost has been of renovation and refurbishment of Department-owned buildings since May 1997.

Richard Caborn: A total of £1,547,000 has been spent on refurbishment and changes to two occupied buildings to meet operational needs. Fitting-out works prior to occupation of a further two buildings were undertaken by the landlords. A further £120,000 was spent in compliance with lease requirements and £153,000 was spent to replace obsolete fire warning/alarm systems.

Departmental Expenditure

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department spent on (a) mobile telephones and (b) hospitality in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available.

Richard Caborn: The information requested is contained in the following table. All expenditure on official hospitality is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government guidance. In 2002–03 changes were made in the way hospitality expenditure was captured to include associated staff costs following the contracting out of the hospitality service. Figures for 2004–05 are not available at present.
	
		£
		
			  Mobile telephones Hospitality 
		
		
			 1997–98 (29)— 15,269.81 
			 2003–04 35,000 (30)78,144.29 
		
	
	(29) It is not possible to provide an expenditure figure for mobile telephones in 1997–98 save at disproportionate cost.
	(30) Provisional pending finalisation of annual accounts.

European Football Championships

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which members of the Government attended the European Football Championships in an official capacity.

Richard Caborn: Three members of the Government attended the European Football Championships in an official capacity—the Home Secretary; the Secretary of State and myself.

European Football Championships

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Government Officials visited the European Football Championships in Portugal in an official capacity.

Richard Caborn: 11 Government Officials in total visited the European Football Championships in an official capacity. Three of these Officials were stationed in Portugal throughout the tournament to deal with any disorder issues.

European Football Championships

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total cost was of ministerial visits to the European Football Championships in Portugal; and what the transport costs were.

Richard Caborn: DCMS Ministerial visits to the European Championships in Portugal amount to £6,068. The total includes £589 for transport costs while in Portugal.

Historic Houses

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the contribution of historic houses to the UK's tourist industry.

Richard Caborn: English Heritage's State of the Historic Environment Report, Heritage Counts 2003, which is available at www.heritagecounts.org.uk, addresses tourism and the historic environment (Chapter 2.7, pp. 49–55).
	The historic environment sector is also developing a set of key indicators for the management and use of the historic environment. One of these will measure the economic contribution of historic attractions to the tourism industry in England.

Olympic Games

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which hon. Members were invited to attend the Olympic Torch Parade Concert in the Mall.

Richard Caborn: The British Olympic Association and the Greater London Authority invited my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and myself.

Olympic Games

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which members of the Government (a) were invited to attend and (b) attended the Olympic Torch parade concert in the Mall.

Richard Caborn: The Greater London Authority and the British Olympic Association invited my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and myself. The Secretary of State attended the start of the Olympic Torch Relay at the All England Tennis Club and the Torch Relay Concert in the Mall.

Sporting Centres of Excellence

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the sporting centres of excellence in England; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: A number of sporting centres of excellence have been developed in England following Sport England's announcement in 1999 to commit £120 million from the Lottery to invest in the capital development of the English Institute of Sport (EIS)—a nationwide network of world-class facilities and support services. In addition, sporting centres of excellence for athletics also exist in London at St. Mary's College and Brunei university. The following centres have been developed as a result of investment in the EIS.
	
		EIS capital programme
		
			 Site Sport Facility provision 
		
		
			 University of Birmingham Hockey Water-based hockey pitch—2 upgrades 
			 University of Birmingham Squash 7-court upgrade 
			 Birmingham CC Athletics Indoor Athletics Centre, 132m straight and throw/jump area 
			 Birmingham CC Multi Improvement to NIA 
			 Polo Farm Sports Club/Canterbury Hockey Clubs Hockey Water-based pitch and floodlighting 
			 University of Bath Multi Sports Science/Sports Med Equipment 
			 University of Bath Swimming 8 Lane 50m pool 
			 University of Bath Bobsleigh Simulated start 
			 University of Bath Athletics Indoor 132m Athletics Centre 
			 Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club Hockey Water-based hockey pitch 
			 Hayling Island Sailing Club Sailing New Club and Sports Science Facilities 
			 Exeter University Hockey Water Based pitch 
			 Loughborough University Swimming 50m 8-lane pool, seminar room, sports science lab and other ancillary facilities 
			 Loughborough University Hockey Water-based pitch 
			 Loughborough University Netball/Badminton 12 court sports hall 
			 Loughborough University Athletics Indoor 132m Straight and throws/jumps area. 
			 Loughborough University Cricket National Academy 
			 Loughborough University Multi Sports Science/Sports Med Centre 
			 Manchester City Council Swimming 10 x 50m pool, 6 x 50m pool, diving pool. 
			 Manchester City Council Athletics Indoor 200m track. Outdoor 400m track. 
			 Manchester City Council Generic Fit out of EIS North West area 
			 Rutland Sailing Club Sailing RYA National Training Venue 
			 Nottingham Squash and Rackets Club Squash Nottingham Squash Rackets Club—extension 
			 East Grinstead Hockey Water-based pitch 
			 Phoenix Sports Ltd. Multi EIS Sheffield Centre, including indoor 200m track, sports halls, sports science, strength and conditioning suite 
			 Caversham Lakes Company Rowing Redgrave Pinsent Rowing lake—2000m rowing lake, ancillary accommodation. 
			 Leeds Met University Gymnastics Men's centre 
			 Haringey Athletics Equipment and upgrade of New River Stadium 
			 Southampton CC Diving Southampton pool upgrade 
			 Deerness Gym Club Gymnastics Acrobat centre 
			 Badminton Association of England Badminton Upgrade national centre at Milton Keynes 
			 Durham Hockey Club Hockey Upgrade of Pitch to Water based 
			 Reading HC Hockey Upgrade of Pitch to Water based 
			 Wakefield Hockey Club Hockey Water based hockey pitch 
			 Surrey County Council Hockey Upgrade to water based pitch 
			 Sports Council Trust Multi Redevelopment of Bisham Abbey Sports facilities, water based hockey pitch, strength and conditioning suite, sports science, 
			 Gorton GC Gymnastics Gorton Gymnastics Centre Upgrade 
			 Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy Sailing Weymouth Sailing Academy—Sailing Centre. 
			 SC Trust/Sport England—Lilleshall Multi Multi development of gym and EIS. Also on site; Gymnastics Centre, athlete accommodation, sports science operation, sports hall, specialist 100m projectile hall. Water based hockey pitch. 
			 SC Trust/Sport England—Holme Pierrepoint Multi 2000m rowing lake, canoe slalom course, accommodation and conference block, sports hall and conditioning facilities 
			 SC Trust/Sport England Multi Crystal Palace National Sports Centre: outdoor 400m track, indoor sprint straight, 50m pool, sports hall, weights room, sports science. 
			 Wolverhampton University Judo 2/4-mat dedicated centre 
			 Lee Valley Park Authority Athletics/EIS Athletics/EIS 
			 British Cycling Federation Cycling Accommodation and support areas at Manchester Velodrome. Full competition specification track 
			 Chelmsford HC Hockey Upgrade of Pitch to Water based

Sports Funding

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has (a) to improve funding for development of talent in (i) tennis, (ii) cricket and (iii) other sports and (b) to initiate programmes to improve interest in those sports, especially among the younger generation.

Richard Caborn: As part of the joint DCMS/DfES national strategy for PE, School Sport and Clubs Links; the DCMS are investing £9 million to increase the percentage of five to 16 year-olds from School Sport Partnerships who are members of, or participate in governing body or otherwise accredited amateur sports clubs from 14 per cent. (2002) to 20 per cent. by 2006. This is being delivered by 22 sports: Athletics, badminton, basketball, canoeing, cricket, cycling, golf, football, gymnastics, hockey, judo, netball, orienteering, rowing, rugby union, rugby league, sailing, squash, table tennis, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
	DCMS also recently launched the Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme. This is a £3 million exchequer funded programme that sits between school and junior representative sport, and world-class programmes across 48 able bodied and disabled performance sports, including cricket and tennis. The programme has been specifically designed to help talented athletes aged between 16 and 25 years to maintain a sensible balance between academic life or employment while fulfilling their potential as an athlete. The first awards will be made this September comprising scholarships worth up to £3,000 in sporting services and bursaries to the value of £1,000, delivered through a network of Higher and Further Education Institutions.
	In addition, Sport England's World Class Potential and Start programmes, introduced in 1998, already provides funding to over 30 sports in England for the development of talent. As part of this programme Cricket receives £2 million per annum for the development of talented players at county and national academy level. However Tennis has not been a recipient of this programme.

Tourism

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tourists she estimates have visited the West Midlands since 1997 from (a) France, (b) Germany, (c) Sweden, (d) Belgium, (e) USA, (f) Canada, (g) Japan, (h) Singapore, (i) India and (j) Australia.

Richard Caborn: The number of visits to the West Midlands by residents of the relevant countries, in each year since 1997, are shown in the following table.
	
		Visits to the West Midlands by year  -- Thousand(31)
		
			 Country of residence 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 France 113 93 119 102 120 180 129 
			 Germany 153 149 125 170 133 125 176 
			 Sweden 20 16 11 24 13 30 22 
			 Belgium 20 46 31 30 27 40 33 
			 USA 102 164 145 136 110 131 106 
			 Canada 33 29 46 39 43 33 46 
			 Japan 8 11 10 8 7 9 5 
			 Singapore 4 3 5 5 1 5 5 
			 India 9 10 14 14 9 10 20 
			 Australia 42 29 32 46 31 35 35 
		
	
	(31) Figures taken from the International Passenger Survey which is run by the Office for National Statistics. Figures for regional visits by nationality are often based on small samples, which may lead to high margins of error, and should therefore be regarded as approximate estimates.

Tourism

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tourists she estimates have visited the East Midlands since 1997 from (a) Germany, (b) Sweden, (c) France,(d) USA, (e) Canada,(f) Singapore, (g) India,(h) Australia and (i) Belgium.

Richard Caborn: The number of visits to the East Midlands by residents of the relevant countries, in each year since 1997, are shown in the table.
	
		Visits to the East Midlands by year -- Thousand(32)
		
			 Country of residence 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Germany 91 83 106 127 77 91 113 
			 Sweden 15 16 9 14 17 16 20 
			 France 82 83 88 83 83 82 110 
			 USA 117 106 96 104 91 107 113 
			 Canada 28 27 24 31 35 34 34 
			 Singapore 5 5 3 3 2 4 3 
			 India 7 6 7 6 8 13 7 
			 Australia 40 36 41 37 35 34 38 
			 Belgium 34 32 31 23 29 38 35 
		
	
	(32) Figures taken from the International Passenger Survey which is run by the Office for National Statistics. Figures for regional visits by nationality are often based on small samples, which may lead to high margins of error, and should therefore be regarded as approximate estimates.

Tourism

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research her Department has commissioned relating to the promotion of the British countryside as a tourist destination for foreigners.

Richard Caborn: The Department has not commissioned research of this kind. However, VisitBritain undertook a major research project in October 2003 in 11 key international markets with in-depth interviews of over 5,000 people. The aim was to work out what factors are important to potential foreign visitors for their holidays, and then assess how Britain fared on each factor.
	Several aspects of the countryside were covered by the research. The results are still being processed, but initial results show that our landscape was considered in most markets, to be one of Britain's greatest strength's.
	The research is used to help develop campaigns in the international marketplace to encourage more visitors to come to Britain. The countryside will feature strongly in VisitBritain's upcoming campaigns—in particular the major "Touring Britain" and "Good Living Britain" promotions.

Young People (Summer Activities)

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her Department's funded programme of summer activities for young people.

Richard Caborn: The Department plays a key role in the management of Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP), a programme funded by The Big Lottery Fund (£12.5 million), Department for Education and Skills (£23.75 million), Home Office (£1.5 million) and the Youth Justice Board (£1 million). It was launched in spring 2003 and offers diversionary activities aimed at young people who are most at risk of offending. The programme provides the opportunity for them to participate in positive activities (throughout school holiday periods) that will both reduce their chances of offending and enable them to fulfil their potential in education, training or employment. The programme aims to provide 22,500 full-time equivalent places with key worker support for up to 7,500 young people. Success is measured by subsequent entry into education, training and employment.

TRANSPORT

Micro-light Aircraft

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will investigate the noise nuisance caused by micro-light aircraft;
	(2)  what complaints his Department has received about noise problems caused by the operation of micro-light aircraft in rural areas.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 13 July 2004
	The Department receives very few complaints about noise nuisance from micro-light aircraft, The Government have no plans to commission specific work into noise nuisance caused by micro-light aircraft. The policy on noise from micro-lights is the same as that for noise from other light aircraft, local solutions for local problems.

Air Passengers (Consumer Protection)

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the consumer protection available to travellers by air who pay (a) with a credit card and (b) with a debit card if travelling on a scheduled airline.

Alistair Darling: There is no statutory obligation for airlines to provide financial protection. Air travel organisers offering air travel packages or, in certain circumstances, seat-only flights have to hold an ATOL and secure a financial bond. The protection travellers enjoy when using a credit card in certain circumstances arises from the 1974 Consumer Credit Act rather than the ATOL scheme. The Act provides financial protection for purchases over £100 made using a credit card, but there are certain exclusions. There is no protection if the payment is made to an agent rather than directly to the airline, nor if payment is made on behalf of a third party such as a non-family member, nor in relation to groups of more than 19 people. There is no protection when a debit card is used.

British Transport Police

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what plans he has to provide direct funding for the British Transport Police from the Department of Transport;
	(2)  what evaluation he has made of the appropriateness and effectiveness of funding arrangements for the British Transport Police.

Tony McNulty: The Government are currently reviewing the funding arrangements for the BTP and considering future funding options for the force as part of the rail review.

Harmonisation

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with EU partners in the last 12 months on the subject of harmonisation; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: holding answer 22 June 2004
	The degree of harmonisation is often an issue in Council negotiations on proposed legislation.

Inner-city Rail Services

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has collated about the punctuality of inner-city rail services; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) publishes performance data by train operating company in its quarterly National Rail Trends (NRT). The latest publication covers performance to the year ending 31 March 2004 and is available in the Library of the House.

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether all (a) UK flagged ships and (b) British ports are compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

David Jamieson: All but one of the UK flagged ships that fall within the scope of the ISPS Code, is in possession of an International Ship Security Certificate. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency expects to inspect the one remaining ship shortly.
	All major and high risk ports that fall within the scope of the ISPS Code handling international shipping are compliant. A small number of low risk ports have yet to have their plans approved, either because of very late submission or not meeting the required standard. We expect that these will all be approved within the next few weeks.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reason was for his Department's agreement to the aspect of the public-private partnership contract for the London Underground which allows for the completion of 50 per cent. of a given length of track renewal work in the time allotted; if he will undertake to meet the shortfall through grant allocations; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The PPP contracts for the modernisation of the London Underground require the private companies to deliver increased capacity and reliability from track, signalling and trains by set dates for each line. The contracts do not specify how much work should be done in a single possession: if the infracos achieve less, they will face increased costs and abatement of the infrastructure service charge paid by London Underground.
	The Government have provided the underground with an unprecedented level of stable funding of, on average, more than £1 billion a year for the first seven and a half years of the PPP contracts. This is sufficient for LU to meet the infrastructure service charge paid to the infracos and, in turn, enable them to meet their contractual commitments.

Motoring Infringements

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) drivers without insurance and (b) cars (i) without MOT certificates and (ii) for which vehicle excise duty had not been paid in each year since 1997.

David Jamieson: The information is as follows.
	Insurance
	Estimates from the insurance industry are that about 5 per cent. (approximately 1.25 million) motorists drive while uninsured.
	MOT
	It is estimated that approximately 10 per cent. of vehicles do not have a valid MOT certificate. However, the actual level of MOT evasion will be lower as the estimate includes vehicles for which a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) has been registered. Evasion levels should reduce further next year when the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) roll out the MOT database which, when combined with the DVLA vehicle register, will allow enforcement authorities to detect vehicles without a valid MOT instantly.
	Vehicle Excise Duty
	Figures are not available oh an annualised basis. A Roadside Survey on Vehicle Excise Duty evasion is conducted periodically. The headline figures based on observation of vehicles in traffic for the most recent three surveys are as follows:
	
		
			  Vehicle stock, percentage evasion in traffic 
		
		
			 1994 3.0 
			 1999 2.3 
			 2002 2.7 
		
	
	From 2004 this survey will be conducted annually and the recent introduction of continuous registration is empowering the DVLA to take targeted action against evaders on the face of the vehicle record.

Rail Travel

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment her Department has made of the environmental impact of rail travel.

Tony McNulty: The environmental impact of rail travel is presented in the following tabular form. The data come from the 2002–03 National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI). It is based on work carried out by the NAEI to analyse train emissions on specific routes. The values of emissions per passenger kilometre are representative of those particular types of trains. They are based on best estimates of train emission factors (g/kWh) from various industry sources.
	Average UK figures for both electric and diesel passenger rail are presented as well as detailed data for specific types of trains with passenger loadings of 33 per cent. and 66 per cent. occupancy rates.
	
		Grams per passenger km
		
			  Passenger rail (average UK—electric and diesel) 
		
		
			 CO 2 63 
			 PM 1  0 0.016 
			 CO 0.08 
			 NOx 0.32 
			 SO 2 0.2 
			 VOC 0.029 
		
	
	
		Grams per passenger km—33 per cent. occupancy
		
			  CO 2 PM 1  0 CO NOx SO 2 VOC 
		
		
			 Class 357 Electric (commuter service) 34 0.002 0.02 0.08 n/k 0.002 
			 HST Inter-city 125 96 0.033 0.38 1.27 n/k 0.141 
			 Class 180 Adelante 80 0.013 0.36 0.63 n/k 0.099 
			 Class 150 Sprinter DMU 46 n/k 0.05 0.63 n/k 0.031 
			 Class 168 Turbostar DMU 75 0.013 0.11 0.64 n/k 0.027 
		
	
	
		Grams per passenger km—66 per cent. occupancy
		
			  CO 2 PM 1  0 CO NOx SO 2 VOC 
		
		
			 Class 357 Electric (commuter service) 17 0.001 0.01 0.04 n/k 0.001 
			 HST Inter-city 125 48 0.016 0.19 0.64 n/k 0.071 
			 Class 180 Adelante 40 0.007 0.18 0.32 n/k 0.049 
			 Class 150 Sprinter DMU 23 n/k 0.03 0.32 n/k 0.016 
			 Class 168 Turbostar DMU 38 0.007 0.05 0.32 n/k 0.014 
		
	
	Emissions from electric trains have been estimated by applying NAEI emission factors for total emissions from power stations (all types) to the energy consumption of each train. Emissions from electric rail are therefore calculated by multiplying the emission factors by the amount of electricity used for traction. Electricity consumption for rail is taken from the Department of Trade and Industry's Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics (DUKES) 2003.
	The implied power generation mix taken from DUKES is.
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Gas 39 
			 Nuclear 22 
			 Coal 32 
			 Hydro 1 
			 Oil 1 
			 Other fuels 3 
			 Imports 2

Railway Stations (Car Parking)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many stations on the rail network in England and Wales do not have car parking facilities;
	(2)  what plans he has to (a) improve and (b) increase car parking provision at railway stations.

Kim Howells: There are 832 stations on the rail network in England and Wales that do not have a station car park.
	The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) does not require train operators, as part of franchise agreements, to provide car parking facilities at stations. It is for train operators to decide and to make a commercial judgement on the cost of providing car parking facilities. Local authorities can also consider supporting the provision of car parking facilities as part of their integrated transport strategies.

Regional Assemblies

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers elected regional assemblies will have in transport matters; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The transport powers of elected regional assemblies were set out in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions" (Cm5511).

Regional Rail Czars

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the results of his announcement in January this year of the appointment of regional rail czars to oversee parts of the railway system.

Tony McNulty: No such reference has been made by Ministers in January or any other month.

Road and Rail Safety

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many deaths occurred in 2003 on (a) the road network operated by the Highways Agency and (b) the passenger rail network.

David Jamieson: holding answer 8 July 2004
	The total number of deaths that occurred in 2003 resulting from road traffic accidents as reported by the police on the trunk road and motorway network operated by the Highways Agency was 625.
	The total number of deaths that occurred on the passenger rail network reported by the Health and Safety Executive in the financial year 2002 to 2003, the latest date for which information is available, was 306. (Including a total of 256 deaths resulting from trespass and suicide.)
	During 2002–03, 50 people died in incidents on the passenger rail network. This figure includes train incidents (eg derailments), incidents resulting from train movements (eg fatalities at level crossings) and incidents not involving trains (eg falling down steps at station).

School Journeys

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of trips to school were (a) on foot, (b) by bus, (c) by car, (d) by other modes of transport, (e) by five to 10-year-olds, (f) by 11 to 16-year-olds and (g) by five to 16-year-olds in the last period for which figures are available; and what percentage of each were (i) under three miles and (ii) three miles and over in that period.

David Jamieson: holding answer 13 July 2004
	The data requested are shown for 1999–2001. Data for 2002 are available, but are not shown as it is believed that walks under one mile were under-recorded that year due to changes in survey practice.
	
		Trips to and from school by main mode and age: 1999–2001 -- Percentage
		
			  5–10 years 11–16 years 5–16 years 
		
		
			 Percentage of trips to/from school 
			 Walk 54 43 49 
			 Bus 6 32 19 
			 Car 39 19 29 
			 Other 2 6 4 
			 All 100 100 100 
			 
			 Percentage of trips under three miles 
			 Walk 100 99 100 
			 Bus 47 31 33 
			 Car 76 63 72 
			 Other 46 37 39 
			 All 87 67 77 
		
	
	Source:
	National Travel Survey, DfT

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Parliamentary Representation

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women what assessment she has made of the difference in the proportion of women elected in the UK to the European Parliament and this House.

Patricia Hewitt: 23 per cent. of UK's MEPs and 18 per cent. of the Members of this House are women. 37 per cent. of Labour MEPs, 50 per cent. of Liberal Democrat MEPs and 7.4 per cent. of Conservative MEPS are women. All UKIP MEPs are men. In the House of Commons women make up 23 per cent. of Labour MPS, 8.6 per cent. of Conservative MPs and 11 per cent. of Liberal Democrats.
	In 2002 we introduced the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act which allows political parties to take positive measures towards women's increased participation. The Labour Part has already taken advantage of this new law to use positive action to increase the number of women candidates in both local and national elections, and in elections to the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament.

TREASURY

Small Businesses

Sally Keeble: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on measures in the comprehensive spending review to support small businesses.

Paul Boateng: Small businesses will benefit from the Government's investment in work force skills, science, innovation and business support in this Spending Review. In particular, additional devolved funding will go to the Regional Development Agencies as they adopt, next April, responsibility for the delivery of business support services for small businesses in every region.

Inheritance Tax

David Cameron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received about the reform of inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: We receive numerous representations on all aspects of the tax system.

World Poverty Reduction

Clive Efford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution the UK is making to meet the 2015 targets for reducing world poverty.

John Healey: As the Chancellor announced in the 2004 Spending Review statement, by 2007–08 total UK development assistance will reach nearly £6.5 billion, equal to 0.47 per cent. of Gross National Income. The Government wishes to maintain those rates of growth in the overseas aid ratio, which on this timetable would rise beyond 0.5 per cent. after 2008 and reach 0.7 per cent. by 2013.
	90 per cent. of the increased resources will be spent in the world's poorest countries, including £1.25 billion each year in Africa by 2007–08. The UK will also spend £1.5 billion on HIV/AIDS related work over the next three years.

Overseas Development Assistance

Peter Pike: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had on increasing the share of overseas development assistance by 2008 in line with the UN target of 0.7 per cent. of gross national income.

John Healey: The Chancellor has received over 15,000 representations on the subject of development spending from a variety of organisations, including churches, faith groups and NGOs. As he announced in the 2004 Spending Review statement, by 2007–08 total UK development assistance will reach £6.5 billion, equal to 0.47 per cent. of gross national income. We wish to maintain those rates of growth in the overseas aid ratio, which on this timetable would rise beyond 0.5 per cent. after 2008 and reach 0.7 per cent. by 2013.

Overseas Development Assistance

Paul Truswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the timetable for reaching the target of spending 0.7 per cent. of gross national income on aid by 2008.

John Healey: As the Chancellor announced in the 2004 Spending Review statement, by 2007–08 total UK development assistance will reach 0.47 per cent. of Gross National Income. We wish to maintain those rates of growth in the overseas aid ratio, which on this timetable would rise beyond 0.5 per cent. after 2008 and reach 0.7 per. cent by 2013. I can also state that if Britain's plan—the new International Finance Facility—is agreed internationally, the objective of 0.7 per cent. could be achieved earlier, by 2008–09.

Industrial Innovation

Iain Luke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Treasury incentives to facilitate innovation in industry.

Paul Boateng: The DTI's Innovation Report, published in December 2003, and the joint DTI-DfES-HMT "Science and innovation investment framework 2004–14", published alongside the Spending Review, set out the Government's framework to facilitate innovation in industry.

Iraq

David Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with European Finance Ministers on debt relief for Iraq.

Paul Boateng: The Chancellor has discussed Iraqi debt relief with other Finance Ministers in a variety of forums, including the G7 meeting in New York in May.

Individual Savings Accounts

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total present value of cash individual savings accounts; and if he will review his decision to reduce the annual permitted contribution to cash ISAs.

Ruth Kelly: Since their introduction in April 1999 a total of £81 billion has been subscribed to the cash component of the ISA.
	The limits for annual subscriptions to ISAs are set at a maximum of £5,000 with a maximum limit of £1,000 for cash from 2006 onwards. These were the original limits envisaged for subscriptions to the ISA announced in the 1998 Budget. It was also announced that for the first year of the ISA the limits were to be £7,000 and £3,000 respectively. These starting limits were retained for a second year and extended to the end of April 2006 in the November 2000 pre-Budget report. The higher limits were provided to help establish and embed the ISA.
	As I said in the debate on this issue at Report Stage of the Finance Bill last Tuesday, April 2006 is nearly two years away and we shall continue to keep the ISA limits under review.
	Of course any review is subject to the 10-year guarantee provided by the Chancellor—that savers will benefit from tax relief on up to £5,000 in saving in the ISA each year until 2009.

Child Tax Credit

Michael Jabez Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many recipients of child tax credit are subject to recovery as a result of overpayment in the last financial year in (a) Hastings and Rye and (b) the UK.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 9 March 2004, Official Report, column 1482W.

Drugs Liaison Officers

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he measures the success rate of drugs liaison officers situated in foreign countries.

John Healey: Drugs liaison officers are deployed according to an assessment of the drugs threat to the UK and where they can achieve the best results for the UK. Specific objectives are set for each country or region with a view to maximising the impact on drugs supply and traffickers to the UK.

Economic Growth Rates

Wayne David: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on how economic growth rates in the UK compare with those in other EU countries.

Ruth Kelly: UK GDP growth has been above that of the euro area in every year since 1997. Independent forecasters expect UK GDP to continue growing more quickly than the euro area, both this year and next.

Eurozone

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether general economic growth within the Eurozone has changed as a result of European Union enlargement.

Ruth Kelly: The new Member States are not members of the Euro zone, hence they are not included in Euro zone growth statistics.
	However, enlargement of the EU is expected to bring long- term benefits both for the UK and all EU Member States, through greater trade opportunities and access to the enlarged single market.

Flats Above Shops Scheme

Martin Linton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many claims the Inland Revenue has received under the capital allowances for flats above shops scheme;
	(2)  how many UK residents have benefited from the 100 per cent. capital allowance for renovation or conversion space above shops or other commercial premises to provide flats for rent in each year since 11 May 2001;
	(3)  if he will estimate the cost to his Department of successful claims under the capital allowances for flats above shops scheme in each year between May 2001 and May 2004;
	(4)  how many claims were made in each year between May 2001 and May 2004 for (a) an initial allowance on a qualifying flat and (b) writing down allowances on a qualifying flat under the capital allowances for flats above shops scheme;
	(5)  what estimate he has made of the funds recovered as a result of converted dwellings ceasing to qualify for the capital allowances for flats above shops scheme, broken down by (a) the reasons for non-qualification and (b) financial years (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04.

John Healey: The scheme for Flat Conversion Allowances (FCA) was introduced in Finance Act 2001 as part of a package of measures designed to encourage the regeneration of Britain's towns and cities, building on recommendations made by the Urban Task Force, chaired by Lord Rogers, in their report "Towards an Urban Renaissance".
	FCA was always envisaged as a modest scheme. As published by the ODPM in "Evaluation Issues for the Urban White Paper Fiscal Measures" in May 2003, the estimated Exchequer costs were: for 2001–02: negligible; for 2002–03: -£5 million; and for 2003–04: -£5 million.
	During the combined tax years and accounting period 2001–02 and 2002–03 around 770 claims have been received from companies. No figures are yet available for 2003–04.
	To minimise any extra burden on businesses there are no requirements to provide detailed information when a business includes a claim for the allowances on its tax return. The information requested beyond the number of claims is not available.

Fuel Taxation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has commissioned on the effects on small businesses of fuel taxation increases.

John Healey: When taking decisions on fuel duty rate levels, the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes account of all relevant economic, environmental and social considerations.

Interest Rates

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of recent changes in interest rates on net disposable income.

Ruth Kelly: The independent Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England takes a deliberately forward-looking and pre-emptive approach to delivering stability and growth, setting interest rates in order to maintain low and stable inflation. And the excellent job that the MPC has done, supported by our new fiscal framework, has delivered stability and rising prosperity: since 1997, real household disposable income growth has averaged 3.1 per cent. per annum, compared to an average of 2.3 per cent. between 1992 and 1997.
	Despite the recent changes, interest rates are still low by historical standards. Low interest rates have ensured that the ratio of interest payments to household disposable income has remained close to 7 per cent. since 2002, compared to a peak of over 15 per cent. in 1990 when consumers were hit at the same time by rises in interest rates, well into double figures, and rapidly rising unemployment.

Landfill Tax Credit Scheme

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.

John Healey: Since the introduction of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme in 1996 more than £700 million in contributions have been made through the scheme in support of over 13,000 projects. As confirmed in Budget 2003, and following consultation with stakeholders, the scheme has been reformed to improve transparency, accountability and evaluation. A more strategic approach to sustainable waste management has been introduced by transferring funding for such projects to Defra's public spending programme, while the scope of eligible projects has been extended to include those that support biodiversity—these changes aim to improve monitoring, evaluation, and the overall performance of the scheme. In line with the Government's commitment to maintain the real value of the reformed scheme, this was increased to £48.3 million a year on 1 April.

Law and Order (Spending)

Claire Ward: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Government spending on law and order and the fight against terrorism.

John Healey: As announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement of 12 July, spending on Crime and Justice will increase by £3.5 billion by 2007–08, an annual average real terms growth of 3 per cent. Spending on counter-terrorism and resilience across departments will rise to over £2 billion by 2007–08, more than doubling the total since September 11.

Overseas Development

Tony Baldry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of UK GDP is spent on overseas development; and what the EU average is.

John Healey: In 2003 the UK spent 0.34 per cent. of Gross National Income (GNI) on development assistance to the world's poorest countries, exceeding the target we set for that year. As the chancellor announced in the 2004 spending review statement, total uk aid by 2007–08 will reach nearly £6.5 billion, equivalent to 0.47 per cent. of GNI, well above the 2003 EU average of 0.35 per cent.

Road-related Taxation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was raised by (a) road fuel and (b) road related taxation in the last year for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information is as follows:
	(a) Revenue from duty on road fuels was £22.3 billion in 2003. This information is available in the Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin published by HM Customs and Excise, which can be found at www.uktradeinfo.com. Customs do not collect data on VAT from individual goods and services.
	(b) Revenue from Vehicle Excise Duty was £4.7 billion in 2003–04. This information is available through the Office for National Statistics at www.statistics.gov.uk

State Aid

David Wilshire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has made to the European Commission on the elimination of state aid to companies.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury set out its views on the need for further action to reform the EU state aid regime in its February 2004 report on progress in achieving European economic reform, "Advancing long-term prosperity: Economic reform in an enlarged Europe". The Government gave further detail of the need for state aid reform in their June 2004 submission to the mid-term high-level group on the review of the Lisbon strategy, "Mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy: UK submission to the high-level group".

World Debt

Linda Perham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress the G7 finance ministers are making in tackling world debt.

John Healey: Further cancellation of debt for the world's poorest countries was an important item of discussion at last month's G8 summit in Sea Island, Georgia.
	The UK pressed for, and secured, G8 support for the extension of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative by a further two years, potentially allowing another 10 countries to benefit from debt relief in excess of $30 billion.
	Finance Ministers will report back by the end of the year on progress, and on further measures to ensure that the poorest countries have a sustainable exit from debt.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Accountancy Advice

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contracts have been let by her Department in each financial year since 2001–02 to (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte and Touche, (c) KPMG and (d) Ernst and Young for advising her Department on private finance initiative and public private partnership contracts; and what fees were paid in each case.

Patricia Hewitt: There has been no contracts let by the Department to any of the companies mentioned since 2001–02 for advisory work on PPP/PFI contracts.

Aegis Defence Services

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates officials have met representatives of Aegis Defence Services.

Jacqui Smith: My officials have not met representatives of Aegis Defence Services.

Aegis Defence Services

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made to the United States authorities relating to Aegis Defence Services and personnel associated with its operations.

Jacqui Smith: The Department of Trade and Industry has not made any representations to the United States relating to Aegis Defence Services or its personnel associated with its operations.

Automotive Companies

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 29 June 2004, Official Report, column 194W, on MG Rover Group, which key automotive companies her officials have had discussions and meetings with in the last year, and on what dates; and which of her officials were involved.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The Department seeks to promote the competitiveness of the automotive sector in the UK through, among other things, providing an effective communication channel between business and Government. Frequent meetings and discussions take place between officials and a wide range of companies in the sector. This includes regular bilateral dialogue with key companies and a variety of broader meetings in the context of sectoral initiatives such as the Automotive Academy, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, and Supply Chain Groups programme, and through the auspices of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and other trade associations. A full list of meetings and discussions with dates and names of officials involved could not be compiled except at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Publications (Storage)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many departmental publications are in storage; and where they are located.

Patricia Hewitt: There are currently 1,900 different departmental publications stored and distributed from the DTI Publications Orderline, based in Otford, Kent. There are also around 25 print on demand publications available.
	In addition, there are a number of smaller specialist distributors such as: the Bio-Wise Helpline in Didcot; Cleaner Coal Technology Programme Helpline in Didcot; Tudorseed Construction in Hornchurch; TCS Publications in Teddington.

National Minimum Wage

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if she will ensure that information campaigns on changes to the national minimum wage in October for 14 to 17-year-olds use magazines, television and radio with substantial youth audiences;
	(2)  how many 14 to 17-year-olds in Scotland will benefit from changes to the national minimum wage in October;
	(3)  if her Department will target school pupils who will be entitled to the national minimum wage for the first time before October with information on their rights;
	(4)  how many school pupils aged between 14 and 17 years will benefit from the national minimum wage in October.

Gerry Sutcliffe: On 1 October 2004 the Government will introduce a new minimum wage of £3 an hour, which will apply to workers who are below the age of 18 and have ceased to be of compulsory school leaving age. After taking account of apprentices (who will be exempt) the number of people in the UK who stand to benefit from the new rate is likely to be in the low tens of thousands. It is not possible to provide an estimate of beneficiaries specifically for Scotland because of the small sample sizes underpinning the data.
	It is important that young people are made aware of the new rate. My officials are presently preparing an information campaign for this autumn.

National Minimum Wage

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Department plans to create greater awareness of the national minimum wage among home workers.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In March 2004 the Government introduced the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2004. These regulations come into effect in October 2004 and require employers to pay all output workers, including home workers, the minimum wage for every hour they work, or a fair piece rate that allows an average worker to earn the minimum wage. We believe the new system will be more easily understood—helping home workers to understand and claim their right to the minimum wage.
	The Department has already, working with the Trades Union Congress and the National Group on Homeworking, distributed information about the changes to homeworkers and their representatives. My officials are presently considering what more can be done to promote awareness of the minimum wage to home workers.

National Minimum Wage

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if her Department will assess how best to restrict further failures to pay the national minimum wage.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In their fourth report last year the Low Pay Commission asked the Government to evaluate existing enforcement powers to help strengthen enforcement of the minimum wage. The Government will be submitting evidence on this issue to the Commission in the autumn.

Employment Tribunals

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many claims have been made against her Department at employment tribunals in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how much money her Department spent (a) settling and (b) contesting claims registered at employment tribunals in each year since 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 12 July 2004
	Information prior to 1999 is not available.
	The remaining information can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Means-tested Benefits

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the means-tested benefits available through her Department and the agencies for which it is responsible (a) in May 1997 and (b) now.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The Department did not provide any means-tested benefits in May 1997 and does not do so now.

Milton Haven

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has had with the Milford Haven Port Authority in connection with the proposed development of the liquefied natural gas handling facilities within the port by Petroplus; what discussions his Department has had on safety matters with the Port Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: None. The Department's regulatory role in relation to this project concerns issues of economic regulation. The particular issues are the future regime for regulated third party access, and the associated exemption arrangements (which will be administered by Ofgem); and an exemption from the requirement for a Gas Transporter licence (on which the Department is preparing to consult).

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many non-departmental public bodies for which her Department is responsible have been (a) established and (b) abolished since 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	25 non-departmental public bodies10 executive, 14 advisory and one tribunalhave been established since 1997.
	24 non-departmental public bodiesfour executive and 20 advisoryhave been abolished since 1997.

Nuclear Research

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government money is being spent on nuclear research in 200405.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 13 July 2004
	The Government funds projects on civil nuclear research through two of the Research Councils (Engineering and Physical Science Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council). Many of these projects are spread over a number of years, with no precise allocation of funds to each year. It is also possible that money will be allocated to further projects during the course of this year. Therefore it is not possible to give an exact figure for Government spend on nuclear research in 200405.
	Research includes fission (approx 5.5 million over four years) 1 , fusion (48 million over four years) 2 , nuclear physics (current level of support covering the period from 1999 to 2008 is 27.15 million) 3 , and related areas 4 .
	DEFRA provides around 500,000 per annum for research on radioactive waste management issues.
	1 Fission
	A small number of projects are currently funded by EPSRC in nuclear fission power, with a value of 565,000, through the responsive mode mechanism. The subjects include plant material research, improved waste management techniques and improved energy extraction methods.
	EPSRC are commissioning a 'Keeping the Nuclear Option Open' programme, worth 5 million over the next four years (of RD related to the current, ongoing and potential future operation of fission power in the UK). The EPSRC also supports grants in a number of related, underpinning fields such as materials for reactor design and radionuclide chemistry.
	2 Fusion
	The UK's domestic fusion programme is undertaken by the UKAEA (UK Atomic Energy Authority), situated at Culham. University and student involvement in this area was recently boosted by the award of EPSRC industrial collaborative (CASE) studentships to Culham. Funding for fusion in 200304 was 15.6 million, of which 9 million for the domestic programme, including staff salaries and 6.6 million for the UK's host contribution for operating JET (Joint European Torus). The support of 15.6 million was provided on a yearly basis, but starting from April 2004 this support has been consolidated with a four-year grant of 48 million. This is based on a provision of 15.6 million for years 1 and 2, 9 million for year 3 and 6 million for year 4 and includes an allowance for inflation.
	Additionally, EPSRC supports a portfolio of research in plasma physics, related to magnetic and inertial confinement fusion (current level of support allocated to research grants through responsive mode in this area totals approximately 4.5 million since April 2000).
	3 Nuclear Physics
	EPSRC's nuclear physics research portfolio is supported entirely through the responsive mode and, as of February 2004, the current level of support is 27.15 million.
	4 Related Areas
	Research is also funded through PhD studentships via the doctoral training account (DTA); however, full figures for how many are relevant to nuclear research are not yet available.

Prescription-only Medicines (Vets)

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what consultations her Department has (a) had and (b) planned on regulatory changes to the prescription-only medicines regime for veterinary practices;
	(2)  when she expects to publish a statutory instrument for the future regulation of prescription-only medicines for animals.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answers 12 July 2004
	The Department has already consulted with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association on the remedies proposed by the Competition Commission in their report on the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines.
	There will be a public consultation on the draft statutory instrument to implement the changes. This will be published shortly.

Renewables Obligation Order

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the objectives are of grants connected to the Renewables Obligation Order 2002.

Stephen Timms: There are no grants connected to the Renewables Obligation Order 2002. Under the Renewables Obligation, licensed suppliers have to supply a specified and growing proportion of their electricity from eligible renewable energy sources.
	The Government are providing capital grant support to a range of renewable energy projects particularly in the areas of offshore wind, biomass, photovoltaics and solar water heating. The purpose of these is to provide additional support for demonstration projects for renewables technologies that are not yet economic with support from the renewables obligation alone.

Scientific Advisory Committees

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will publish guidance for scientific advisory committees on how their published reports may express scientific disagreements.

Patricia Hewitt: The Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees provides detailed guidance on the operations of such committees and their relationship with Government. Sections 61 through to 67 set out the procedures for arriving at conclusions, dealing with dissenting views, and the publication of documents.

Scientific Advisory Committees

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will take steps to protect individual members of scientific advisory committees from litigation based on allegations of negligent mis-statement which may follow publication of their scientific views as part of the committees' work.

Patricia Hewitt: The Code of Practice sets out the way in which scientific advisory committees should reach and present their views. Section 3435 addresses potential liabilities of, and indemnity for committee members.

Sex Discrimination

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation her Department has had with the EU Commission to tackle sex discrimination in the workplace.

Patricia Hewitt: The amended Equal Treatment Directive (2002/73) was the outcome of our successful negotiations with the EU Commission. This Directive, published on 5 October 2002 for implementation by 5 October 2005, updates European legislation on gender equality in employment and vocational training, taking account of changes generated by modifications to the Treaty and by case law.

Small Businesses

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice she has given to businesses regarding contingency plans in the event of a fuel shortage with particular reference to small businesses.

Stephen Timms: The Government make available a range of general information and advice to help businesses undertake contingency planning for a wide range of scenarios, not just fuel shortages. This advice, much of which has regard to the particular needs of small businesses, can be accessed via: www.ukresilience.info.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Drug Treatment

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to ensure wider public understanding of the potential benefits of drug treatment.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The updated drugs strategy, published in 2002 and widely disseminated, states that:
	Treatment works. Getting drug misusers into treatment and support is the best way of improving their health and increasing their ability to lead fulfilling lives. Treatment breaks the cycle of drug misuse and crime, and investing in treatment reduces the overall cost of drug misuse to society.
	The national treatment outcome research study, the most comprehensive study of drug treatment in the United Kingdom, showed that 1 spent on drug treatment saves 3 in the criminal justice system.
	Therefore, the Government made a public commitment to drug treatment by setting the public service agreement (PSA) to increase the participation of problem drug users in drug treatment programmes by 55 per cent. by 2004 and by 100 per cent. by 2008 and increase year-on-year the proportion of users successfully sustaining or completing treatment programmes. The Government are currently on-track to meet this target. In 200203, there were 140,900 drug misusers in treatment.
	To make the public more aware of drug misuse, the Government launched a 3 million-a-year communications campaign, FRANK. This new campaign both informs young people and their parents, carers and families about the effects and risks of taking illicit drugs and gives advice, support and details of drug treatment services.

IND Constituency Case

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will resolve the immigration status of a constituent of the hon. Member for Vauxhall, reference number: S1031982.

Des Browne: The immigration status of the constituent to whom you referred in your question was resolved on 13 July. I wrote to my hon. Friend on 14 July setting out the details of her constituent's immigration status.

Offender Management

Ann Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will be responsible for population management issues once prisoner places have been purchased by regional offender managers.

Paul Goggins: The Directors of the National Offender Management Service are currently reviewing options with regard to the split and location of a number of functions, including population management.

Parliamentary Questions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to Question number 146042 tabled by the hon. Member for Havant on 18 December 2003 regarding widows.

Paul Goggins: I replied to the hon. Member on 12 July 2004, Official Report, column 988W.

CABINET OFFICE

Government Services

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the uptake of e-delivery of Government services is in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) the UK;

David Davis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the uptake of e-delivery of Government services has been in East Yorkshire.

Douglas Alexander: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) measures uptake of Government services online on a quarterly basis for adults (16-plus) across Great Britain. The last survey, in February 2004 showed that 28 per cent., of the adult population accessed Government web sites in the 12 months prior to the survey. 24 per cent., of the population accessed sites for informational purposes and six per cent., for transactional purposes. Recently available National Statistics data shows 52 per cent., of internet users in Yorkshire and the Humber have visited Government websites compared to the UK average of 48 per cent.

Ministerial Air Travel

Roy Beggs: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the total cost of air travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain was for (a) Ministers and (b) staff in the Cabinet Office in the latest year for which figures are available.

Douglas Alexander: Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing 500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Library. These reports contain information reaching back to 199596. Information for 200304 is currently being assembled and will be published shortly. In respect of travel by staff to Northern Ireland, the Cabinet Office does not record centrally the destination of trips taken by staff. All ministerial and civil service travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers, and Civil Service Management Code, copies of which are available in the Library.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible have been (a) established and (b) abolished since 1997.

Douglas Alexander: Since January 1997, four non-departmental public bodies for which the Cabinet Office is responsible have been established and four have been abolished.

Parliamentary Questions

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2004, Official Report, column 53W, on parliamentary questions, which non-departmental public bodies were reviewed by his Department between 1997 and 2002; and what the outcome was of each review.

Douglas Alexander: The following non-departmental public bodies for which the Cabinet Office was responsible were reviewed between 1997 and 2002:
	Civil Service Appeal Board
	Committee on Standards in Public Life
	Senior Salaries Review Body
	Women's National Commission (transferred to DTIMay 2002)
	In each case the review concluded that the body should retain its status as an advisory NDPB funded by Government.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal By-products

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will seek to amend the Animal By-products Regulation to exclude eggs, honey and dairy products.

Ben Bradshaw: The European Commission has been considering whether products such as bread, biscuits, cakes, pasta, chocolate and sweets should be subject to control. The Commission has proposed that such products should fall outside the control of the Regulation. We support the Commission's proposal, providing the products incorporate only rennet, melted fat, milk or eggs, and have suggested that honey should be added to the list.
	The Commission is also considering the requirements that should apply to milk/milk-based by-products destined for animal feed.

Bovine Carcases (Disposal)

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the average charge made for collection and disposal of adult bovine carcass by (a) knacker's yards, (b) hunt kennels, (c) maggot farms and (d) zoos and circuses was in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what her latest estimate is of the average charge made for collection and disposal of (a) a lamb carcass, (b) a calf carcass, (c) a sheep carcass and (d) a horse carcass by (i) knacker's yards, (ii) hunt kennels, (iii) maggot farms and (iv) zoos and circuses.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is not available. The charge for collection and disposal is a matter for agreement between the farmer and the business concerned.

Combined Heat and Power

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many tonnes of carbon dioxide were offset by the use of good quality combined heat and power in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003;
	(2)  what contribution she estimates the achievement of the Government's 10GWe combined heat and power target in 2010 will make, in millions of tonnes of carbon, to the UK's Climate Change programme.

Elliot Morley: Good Quality CHP produced estimated carbon savings of 4.48 MtC in 2000, 4.43 in 2001 and, using a range of savings from 2002 onwards, 3.34.6 MtC in 2002. Figures for 2003 will be published in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) 2004, due for publication later this month.
	Carbon savings from CHP installed to meet the CHP target depend upon the generating plant displaced. New CHP plant installed is expected in the short-term to replace a mix of fossil fuelled power generation saving around 0.7 MtC per 1GWe of newly installed Good Quality CHP per year. Towards 2010 and beyond, new CHP plant is more likely to replace more energy efficient new gas generating technologies contributing carbon savings estimated at around 0.1 MtC per 1GWe towards the Climate Change Programme.

Cross-compliance

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to respond to responses received on proposed measures for the implementation of cross-compliance in England.

Alun Michael: An announcement will be made on the issues addressed in this consultation later in the summer.

Dangerous Dogs Act

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dogs have been registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The following table sets out the details of the number of dogs on the index of exempted dogs, as requested.
	
		
			  New dogs notified Dogs notified (total) Certificates live dogs (total) 
		
		
			 1995 0 8,573 4,252 
			 1996 0 8,573 4,040 
			 1997 9 8,582 3,819 
			 1998 36 8,618 3,593 
			 1999 26 8,644 3,284 
			 2000 14 8,658 2,998 
			 2001 5 8,663 2,813 
			 2002 5 8,668 2,674 
			 2003 0 8,668 2,531 
			 2004 2 8,670 2,490

Drinking Water

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the quality of drinking water in (a) Leyton and Wanstead constituency, (b) the London borough of Redbridge and (c) the London borough of Waltham Forest; what trends have been observed in (i) cleanliness and (ii) quality of the water; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Thames Water and Essex and Suffolk Water carry out monitoring of the quality of the drinking water they supply in the London boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest (including Leyton and Wanstead constituency).
	The Drinking Water Inspectorate has assessed both companies' results. For 2001, in the water supply areas that include these boroughs, 99.89 per cent. of a total of 17,951 tests met the standards of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations. In 2003, drinking water standards were met in 99.91 per cent. of a total of 18,441 tests undertaken in the same water supply areas.
	With regard to cleanliness, the national standard for iron is a useful measure of the general cleanliness of a water company's distribution system as it indicates the presence of rust deposits that are related to the age of the pipe network. In 2003, only two samples failed to comply with the national standard for iron within these water supply areas.

Fallen Livestock

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates have been made as to the cost to the UK livestock farming industry of complying with regulations that prevent on-farm burial of fallen livestock.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has estimated that the cost of collection and disposal of all fallen stock in the UK is over 50 million per year. However, about 30 million of that cost is accounted for by arrangements for testing of cattle for BSE and the costs are borne by Government. The rest is borne by industry, although it should be recognised that many livestock producers were already disposing of their fallen stock by means other than burial before the regulations came into force so that the regulations did not impose an additional cost. The national fallen stock scheme due to start in the autumn will also benefit from 20 million of Government funding over three years to assist with the costs to the industry of complying with the regulations.

Fallen Livestock

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her most recent estimate is of the proportion of lamb carcases that require disposal annually that are collected by (a) knacker's yards, (b) hunt kennels, (c) maggot farms and (d) zoos and circuses.

Ben Bradshaw: This information is not available.

Fallen Livestock

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 16 June 2004, Official Report, column 950W, on fallen stock, 
	(1)  what evidence her Department has received that calves are the most suitable livestock for feeding to hounds;
	(2)  what steps her Department has taken to estimate the number of (a) sheep, (b) calves, (c) cattle and (d) horses which are collected by hunt kennels;
	(3)  what steps her Department took when concluding that the majority of carcases collected by hunt kennels are calves.

Ben Bradshaw: In discussions the Department has had with organisations representing hunt kennels, they have made it clear that calves are the preferred fallen livestock which are collected and disposed of by hunt kennels. However, we have no information on overall numbers collected of calves or other types of livestock.

GM Crops

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the consultants carrying out the farm-scale evaluations on genetically modified winter oil seed rape will complete their report and send it to the Royal Society for peer review; and when she expects the Royal Society will (a) complete the peer review process and (b) publish the results.

Elliot Morley: Members of the research consortium who carried out the farm-scale evaluations have completed the analysis of the results for winter oil seed rape. The scientific steering committee overseeing the evaluations has approved the drafts of scientific papers presenting the outcome. These papers have now been submitted for consideration for publication in the Proceedings of the Royal Society. The timing of the peer review process and the decision whether or not to publish the papers is at the discretion of the Royal Society. If the papers are accepted we do not expect them to be published this year.

Hazardous Waste

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on journey times of hazardous waste of the new provision of the Hazardous Waste Directive taking effect.

Elliot Morley: The Government recognise that with the reduction in the number of landfill sites taking hazardous waste from 15 July 2004, hazardous waste could travel further in the short term. Nevertheless, it is recognised that even under the present system, significant amounts of special waste travel across the country. In 2002, 42 per cent. of hazardous waste crossed a regional boundary. Government have not commissioned any specific studies to evaluate the forthcoming changes on this specific issue. Clearly in the longer term, the implementation of the Landfill Directive requirements will see an increase in treatment costs, which in turn will provide a greater incentive for hazardous waste minimisation, the use of more sustainable treatment technologies, and an overall reduction in our reliance on landfill.

Hazardous Waste

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many landfill sites can dispose of hazardous wastes under the provisions of the Hazardous Waste Directive entering into force on 16 July.

Elliot Morley: I assume the hon. Lady is referring to the provisions of the 1999 Landfill Directive that come into force on 16 July 2004. As from that date, there is expected to be 20+ landfill sites able to accept hazardous waste of varying types. In addition, some 37 non-hazardous landfill sites are going through the process of setting up separate cells able to accept stable, non-reactive hazardous waste.
	Further details on all these sites is available on the Environment Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk).

Hazardous Waste

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what types of hazardous liquid waste are accepted by non-merchant landfill site operators; how much of each type was accepted by operators in each of the last 12 months; and what legislative framework (a) governs and (b) will govern in the autumn acceptance of such waste.

Elliot Morley: Under the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, hazardous liquid waste has been banned from landfill since 16 July 2002.

Litter

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the increase in litter collected from streets in 2003; and what plans she has to decrease this figure in 2004.

Alun Michael: The Local Environmental Quality Survey of England for 200203 compiled on behalf of Defra by ENCAMS (Keep Britain Tidy) shows that overall levels of littering across all land use classes have remained unchanged compared with figures from the previous year. However, within that position, the survey records a 12 per cent. increase in fast food packaging litter. However, significant improvements to the quality of the local environment can be made where action is taken. For example, at a local level in Stoke on Trent, fast food littering was reduced by 20 per cent. through their initiative Eat Neat. One way we hope to tackle fast food litter is through the development of a voluntary code of practice for the fast food industry, which we hope to launch in the autumn.
	We are working to reduce overall levels of littering in a number of ways including revising the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse, and through initiatives dealing with chewing gum deposition and drugs related litter. We have also allowed local authorities to keep receipts for fixed penalty notices issued in respect of littering and dog fouling. We hope this will lead to greater use of such penalties by local authorities. Data collected through the introduction of the new cleanliness BVPIBV199 in April 2003 will enable local authorities to assess the level of littering in their area and target cleansing and enforcement more effectively. We also continue to work with ENCAMS in campaigning to stop people dropping litter.

Livestock Grazing

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is her policy to prohibit livestock from grazing in fruit orchards; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has no intention of banning the grazing of sheep or other livestock in orchards.
	The FSA is working with a group of stakeholders to produce guidance on the application of manures to agricultural land used for growing ready to eat fruit and vegetables. If not carried out in a controlled manner, this practice can lead to contamination with micro-organisms that cause human infection. The draft guidance is currently being revised following public consultation and advice from its expert advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food. It has not yet been finalised. The FSA intends to publish its guidance later in the year once the final version has been agreed with stakeholders.

Material Flows

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department has taken to improve the quality of data on material flows within the UK; and if she will make a statement on the outcomes of discussions her Department has held with other EU member states on securing international best practice and consistency in that area.

Elliot Morley: The Department is working closely with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to improve the quality of the Material Flow Accounts managed by the ONS, and with the Environment Agency and other bodies to improve the quality of other material flow data such as those on waste and water use.
	Officials from the ONS recently attended a workshop on Material Flow Accounting organised by the Statistical Office of the European Community (Eurostat) and in a follow-up meeting an official from my Department attended a workshop on material flows and related indicators organised by the Office for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). At both meetings the UK and other EU member states supported proposals to develop a common accounting framework for monitoring flows of materials. This work will build on the general framework set out in the United Nations handbook on integrated environmental and economic accounting 2003 and on the more detailed guidance set out in the methodological guide on economy-wide material flow accounts published by Eurostat in 2000. Material flow accounting is one of a number of measures that may be used to monitor progress in sustainable consumption and production.

Means-tested Benefits

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the means-tested benefits available through her Department and the agencies for which it is responsible (a) in May 1997 and (b) now.

Alun Michael: Neither Defra nor did predecessor Departments nor departmental agencies have means-tested benefits now or in May 1997.

Mercury Scrubbing Equipment

Bill Olner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost per crematorium of fitting mercury scrubbing equipment to its chimneys.

Alun Michael: The consultation paper issued by the Department in May 2003 estimated that the total capital cost of installing gas cleaning in all crematoria in the UK was 187 million. The estimated average cost per cremation is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Number of cremations in 1999 Number of crematoria, (excluding three new in 1999) Average cost per cremation () Percentage of UK cremations in 1999 
		
		
			 Over 978 204 47 to 67 95 
			 978 to 700 19 47 to 63 3.4 
			 700 to 500 10 47 to 63 1.3 
			 Under 500 3 Over 63 0.3

Official Engagements

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list her official engagements for the two-month period commencing 15 March.

Margaret Beckett: Over the two months from 15 March 2004 until 15 May 2004, much of my time was taken up with essential meetings with ministerial colleagues, officials and stakeholders on the various aspects of this Department's wide-ranging portfolio. I was also heavily engaged in the EU and wider international negotiations and representations that constitute a key element of this Department's work.

Renewable Energy

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to extend enhanced capital allowance status to renewable energy technologies, with particular reference to (a) solar PV and (b) micro wind.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	The Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme is focused on energy saving and energy efficiency measures. Renewable energy technologies are supported via other schemes such as the Renewables Obligation, exemption from the Climate Change Levy and in the case of Solar PV itself the Major Photovoltaics demonstration programme.

PRIME MINISTER

Cabinet Ministers

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Prime Minister how many of the Cabinet asked him to remain as Prime Minister last month.

Tony Blair: I had a number of meetings with Cabinet colleagues last month, all of which concentrated on the Government's five-year plan of investment and reform in the public services.
	As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Mauritius

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Prime Minister what recent meetings he has held with the Prime Minister of Mauritius; and what subjects were discussed.

Tony Blair: I last met the Prime Minister of Mauritius at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria last year. As with previous Administrations, it is not the practice of this Government to make public details of all discussions with foreign governments.

Nuclear Power (Lobbying)

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his reference to the US nuclear lobbying efforts in his evidence to the Liaison Committee on 6 July, which United States companies and individuals have lobbied (a) him, (b) other Ministers and (c) Government officials in favour of the construction of new nuclear plants.

Tony Blair: I, members of the Government and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings, under exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

HEALTH

Meat (Time Between Slaughter and Sale)

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the maximum time period his Department recommends should elapse between the slaughter and sale of meat; and what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that meat is not sold outside the recommended timeframe;
	(2)  how many consignments of slaughtered meat for sale within wholesalers in Britain were identified where the date of slaughter was more than one year previously in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 13 July 2004
	There is no provision in current European Union or national meat hygiene legislation that prescribes a maximum time limit between slaughter and sale or consumption of meat.
	The Food Standards Agency advise that meat that is frozen and held under appropriate temperatures in cold stores can safely be consumed up to several years after freezing.
	This is because there is unlikely to be any increase in risk due to microbiological activity, as long as temperature controls, which are set out in EU legislation, have been properly maintained. Under The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (which implements EU legislation in Great Britain), it is an offence to sell for human consumption meat that has been held or transported above the permitted temperature.
	In addition, all food businesses have a responsibility under the Food Safety Act 1990 to ensure that food placed on the market is fit for human consumption. It is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that all meat sold for human consumption complies with this Act.
	Information on the number of consignments of slaughtered meat for sale within wholesalers in Great Britain where the date of slaughter was more than one year previously is not held centrally.

Abortions

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies have survived abortions since 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Under the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, any registered medical practitioner who terminates a pregnancy is required to notify the Chief Medical Officer. The abortion notification form does not collect information on whether the foetus survived the abortion.

Ambulance Trusts

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the amalgamation of ambulance trusts.

Rosie Winterton: Any decisions the configuration of ambulance trusts are a matter for the local health economy to consider, led by the strategic health authority and in consultation with patients and the public.

Childhood Obesity

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of trends in incidence of childhood obesity; and what the evidential basis is of the predicted trends.

Melanie Johnson: The prevalence of obesity among children aged two to 10 increased between 1995 and 2002 in England and is shown in the table.
	
		Prevalence of obesity among children aged two to 10, by sex, England 1995 to 2002 -- Percentage
		
			  Males Females Persons 
		
		
			 1995 9.3 10.0 9.6 
			 1996 10.6 10.5 10.6 
			 1997 11.3 10.4 10.8 
			 1998 11.8 11.4 11.6 
			 19992000 14.2 12.5 13.3 
			 2001 13.5 12.2 12.8 
			 2002 15.2 15.7 15.5 
		
	
	Source:
	NatCen/UCL. Health Survey for England 2002.
	The Department has not carried out or commissioned any formal research on predicting future trends in obesity. However, there is concern that childhood obesity has increased since 1995 and that these trends may continue.

Childhood Obesity

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the Government's primary targets are for action against childhood obesity;
	(2)  what the Government's assessment is of the primary causes of increasing obesity in children.

Melanie Johnson: The primary cause of increasing obesity in children is to do with energy balance: children are eating too much for the amount of physical activity they do. A new primary public service agreement target, held jointly between the Department of Health, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, was announced on 12 July 2004. The target aims to halt the year-on-year increase in the prevalence of obesity in children under 11 by 2010, in the context of a broader strategy to tackle obesity in the population as a whole.

Choosing Health Consultation

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the members are of each task group for the Choosing Health consultation; and what the criteria are for membership of each group.

Melanie Johnson: The membership of each task group brought together a mix of invited stakeholders, covering public/consumer interests, examples of leading edge practice, people representative of the various settings and organisations under consideration in the consultation, and others with relevant expertise. Each task group was also supported by officials from the Department and other relevant Government Departments, and by regional directors of public health. In line with data protection provisions, a copy of the list of all the members who have agreed to their details being disclosed has been placed in the Library.

Commission for Patient Public Involvement

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on consultation on changes to the role of the Commission for Patient Public Involvement in Health; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 13 July 2004
	A report on the review of the Department's arm's length bodies will be published in the near future and following this, detailed discussions with interested parties will take place on implementation.

Community Hospitals

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with primary care trusts about the use of community hospitals.

John Hutton: The Department has not provided any specific direction to primary care trusts (PCTs) about the use of community hospitals.
	It is the responsibility of PCTs to commission, develop services in response to local needs, and to ensure that appropriate facilities are provided for the local population. PCTs are free to commission care from wherever they can obtain the best services for patients.

Data Collection

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) total number and (b) frequency of data collections requested by his Department from (i) strategic health authorities, (ii) primary care trusts and (iii) NHS trusts in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The available information is shown in the table. Systems are now in place to prevent the number of collections increasing.
	
		Total number(33) and frequency of data collections requested by the Department of Health from strategic health authorities(34), primary care trusts(35) and NHS trusts in each year since 199798.
		
			 Financial year/Organisations Monthly Quarterly Biannual Annual Other frequencies(36) Frequency not known Total collections(37) 
		
		
			 199798(38)
			 Health authorities 1 2 1 6  3 13 
			 NHS trusts  6 3 16 8 79 112 
			 Other NHS bodies(39)  1 1 3  16 21 
			 Total 1 9 5 25 8 98 146 
			 
			 1998996
			 Health authorities 1 3 1 9  5 19 
			 NHS trusts 1 10 3 25 8 68 115 
			 Other NHS bodies  2 2 4  14 22 
			 Total 2 15 6 38 8 87 156 
			 19992000(38)
			 Health authorities 1 3 1 9  9 23 
			 NHS trusts 1 11 3 27 8 56 106 
			 Other NHS bodies  3 3 8 1 18 33 
			 Total 2 17 7 44 9 83 162 
			 
			 200001(38)
			 Health authorities 1 5 1 9  5 21 
			 NHS trusts 1 12 3 41 9 49 115 
			 Other NHS bodies  3 3 9 1 15 31 
			 Total 2 20 7 59 10 69 167 
			 
			 200102(38)
			 Health authorities 1 5 2 11 1 7 27 
			 NHS trusts 1 12 4 48 12 25 102 
			 Other NHS bodies  3 4 11 2 7 27 
			 Total 2 20 10 70 15 39 156 
			 
			 200203
			 Strategic health authorities 1 2 4 14 1  22 
			 Primary care trusts(35) 4 11  51 3  69 
			 NHS trusts  3  5 6  14 
			 Other NHS bodies  4 4 12 6  26 
			 Total 5 20 8 82 16 0 131 
			 
			 200304
			 Strategic health authorities 1 2 1 9   13 
			 Primary care trusts 2 12 3 45 4  66 
			 NHS Trusts  3 2 6 6  17 
			 Other NHS bodies 2 10  15 4  31 
			 Total 5 27 6 75 14 0 127 
		
	
	(33) Figures based on collections approved by the Review of Central Returns Committee (ROCR).
	(34) Health authorities until March 2002, strategic health authorities from 200203 onwards.
	(35) Primary care trusts did not come into existence in significant numbers until 200203.
	(36) All other collection frequencies, e.g. weekly, biennially.
	(37) The total number of collections as at 31 March each year.
	(38) From 199798 to 200102 data on collection frequencies is incomplete.
	(39) Includes collections from other NHS bodies (e.g. special health authorities, mental health and cancer units).
	Note:
	This table includes all ongoing returns from NHS organisations to the Department. One-off and ad hoc returns in year are not shown.

Dentistry

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there were in (a) Leeds, (b) Leeds North West and (c) Otley in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The information on the number of general and personal dental service dentists in Leeds, Leeds North West and Otley areas is shown in the table for September each year.
	
		General (GDS) and personal dental service (PDS): number of dentists in September each year
		
			  Leeds unitary authority area Leeds north west primary care trust area Otley and wharfedale local electoral ward area 
		
		
			 1999 294 93 17 
			 2000 299 98 21 
			 2001 313 102 22 
			 2002 295 87 19 
			 2003 298 90 19 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. PDS figure covers dentists not already working in the GDS.
	2. Dentists in the GDS include principals, assistants and vocational dental practitioners. These figures are on a headcount basis rather than whole time equivalent basis and therefore take no account of part-time working. In the GDS, the amount of time spent working in the national health service varies greatly with a large proportion of dentists doing some private work.
	3. Dentists working solely in private dentistry are not covered by these figures.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Drinking Water

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2004, Official Report, column 582W, on drinking water, if he will make a statement on the sanctions he is able to operate against schools which fail to give children access throughout the day to drinking water.

Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	None. It is for head teachers and school governors to decide how and when drinking water should be made available to pupils. They make this decision as part of their responsibility for the day-to-day running of the school. We believe that decisions of this nature are best made at local level, so that the individual circumstances of the pupils and school can be taken into consideration.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to expand residential treatment centres for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction;
	(2)  what plans he has to expand halfway houses for those under-going treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.

Melanie Johnson: The National Treatment Agency has a national work programme to bring down waiting times and improve access to residential rehabilitation for drug misusers. It has also set up a national steering group to advise the progress of the work programme. The programme includes:
	specific work to improve the efficiency of the system to access residential treatment, which includes a national online database (BEDVACS) of current vacancies in residential rehabilitation units, to enable more efficient client placements;
	the implementation of new models for regional commissioning of residential drug treatment by the end of 2004; and
	a systematic assessment of the need for residential drugs treatment in each part of England.
	The responsibility for aftercare planning rests with local drug action teams, which are encouraged to consider all forms of aftercare, including support in the community, to meet the needs of their resident populations.
	The Government's alcohol harm reduction strategy was published on 15 March 2004. The strategy proposed a treatment audit of the demand for, and provision of, alcohol treatment services, to inform a programme of improvements to alcohol treatment services. The treatment audit is on course for completion by the first quarter of 2005.

Drug Misuse and Treatment

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the quality of the information held by his Department about drug misuse and treatment during financial years (a) 200304 and (b) 200405 to date.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The Department does not hold data on drug misuse. This is collected by the Home Office through the British Crime Survey.
	Data on drug treatment is provided by the National Treatment Agency and is of a good quality and is prepared in accordance with national statistical standards. Provisional data for 200304 will be published on July 21 2004, to coincide with the announcement of the Healthcare Commission's star ratingswhich will include drug treatment for the first time this year. Final data for 200304 is expected to be published in September. Data for 200405 will be published to a similar timescale next year.

Drug Treatment (SERCO system)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the performance of the SERCO system used to record and manage information about drug treatment services.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 12 July 2004
	The requirements for drug treatment data collection from the SERCO system have advanced in response to developments in the Government's drug strategy. The Department and SERCO are in discussion about how the software supplied by SERCO can be further developed.

Environmental Sustainability

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of electricity used in buildings in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies came from renewable sources in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The proportion of energy that was purchased from renewable sources for the Department's main London estate is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 199798 0 
			 199899 0 
			 19992000 0 
			 200001 0 
			 200102 43 
			 200203 76 
			 200304 61 
		
	
	The proportion of energy purchased from renewable sources for the national health service Purchasing and Supplies Agency (NHS PASA) is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year(40) Percentage 
		
		
			 200001 0 
			 200102 43.4 
			 200203 100 
			 200304 100 
		
	
	(40) NHS PASA came into existence as a departmental agency in April 2000.
	The NHS Pensions Agency does not currently purchase renewable energy on grounds of cost, but is commissioning a survey to identify the potential to reduce environmental impacts.

Fish (Toxins)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further action he plans to warn the public of the level of toxins in certain species of fish.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 14 July 2004
	The Food Standards Agency will continue to publish the results of surveys on contaminant levels in food and to review the advice it gives to consumers. It is currently conducting a survey of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in about 50 species of fish. Results should be published in early 2005.

Fish (Toxins)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce new requirements on labelling of fish which contains high levels of toxins.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 14 July 2004
	Current European Union legislation on labelling has no requirements to declare the presence of toxins in food and there are no plans for these to be introduced.

Flexible Careers Scheme

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of the Flexible Careers Scheme was in each year since it was launched.

John Hutton: The Flexible Careers Scheme is managed by NHS Professionals Special Health Authority.
	The scheme for hospital doctors was launched in November 2001 and extended to general practitioners in November 2002. The total cost of the scheme was 30,000 in 200102, 639,146 in 200203, and 9,124,033 in 200304.

Food Supplements Directive

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the Government's response to the invitation by the European Court of Justice to comment on the case against the Food Supplements Directive and the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 brought by the Health Food Manufacturers Association and the National Association of Health Stores; whether that response will explain the consequences to the specialist health food manufacturing and retailing sector, and its consumers, of the implementation of the Directive; what his objectives are in formulating the response; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: It is the United Kingdom's practice not to disclose pleadings before the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Therefore, the Government does not intend to place in the Library, its observations in respect of this case.
	In responding to the ECJ, the UK Government's aims are to maintain that Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements is valid as a matter of European Commission law.

HIV (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reported cases of HIV infection there are in each Lancashire constituency.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not collected on a constituency basis but by primary care trust. The table as follows shows the latest available information.
	
		Survey of prevalent diagnosed HIV infections (SOPHID): the number of individuals with diagnosed HIV infection resident in Cumbria and Lancashire -- Strategic Health Authority 1997 to 2002
		
			 Survey year Cumbria and Lancashire 
		
		
			 1997 233 
			 1998 242 
			 1999 295 
			 2000 331 
			 2001 393 
			 2002 479 
		
	
	
		Survey of prevalent diagnosed HIV infections (SOPHID): the number of individuals with diagnosed HIV infection resident in Lancashire 2001 and 2002 by primary care trust of residence by primary care trust of residence
		
			  Survey year 
			 PCT of residence 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 17 30 
			 Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT 28 35 
			 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT 14 19 
			 Morecambe Bay PCT (41)20 27 
			 Blackpool PCT 134 156 
			 Fylde PCT 21 20 
			 Preston PCT 51 65 
			 Wyre PCT 23 32 
			 Chorley and South Ribble PCT 20 26 
			 West Lancashire PCT 14 20 
			 Lancashire but PCT of residence not known 5 1 
			 Total 359 431 
		
	
	(41)2001 figure for Morecambe Bay excludes 12 individuals who could potentially reside in either Lancashire or Cumbria.
	Notes:
	Year relates to year an individual attended for HIV related care or treatment in England, Wales or Northern Ireland Data includes individuals of all ages 2002 is the most recent completed survey PCT of residence has only been applied to the 2001 and 2002 surveys
	SOPHID is an annual cross sectional survey established in 1995 to measure the prevalence of diagnosed HIV infection in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (E, W and NI). It collects data on all individuals who attend health services for HIV care within a calendar year.

Internet Drug Sales

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with other Government departments with a view to preventing the advertising and selling of drugs via the internet that are only available in the UK with a general practitioner's prescription.

Rosie Winterton: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) replaced the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) on 1 April 2003.
	The MHRA has run two special projects, which have sought to identify those websites offering to supply prescription only medicines (ROMs) to United Kingdom citizens.
	In addition, the MCA (as was) has been involved with three initiatives involving the availability of medicines on the internet sponsored by other Government agencies and local authorities, such as the Office of Fair Trading, the Inland Revenue and trading standards departments. These initiatives identified websites which appeared to be in breach of medicines legislation. The MCA investigated the services offered by those websites and took appropriate action.
	The MHRA is currently engaged in discussions with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the Office of Fair Trading to develop memoranda of understanding with a view to tackling the issues of advertising and supply of ROMs via the internet. In addition, the MHRA has met with the Home Office drugs branch, with whom discussions have taken place about ROMs which also fall within the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Low-Carbohydrate Sector

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment the Chief Medical Officer has made of the low carbohydrate sector of the food and drink industry; whether advice will be given to the public on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: There is consensus among the scientific dietetic community that a diet rich in carbohydrates is beneficial to health. Current Government healthy eating advice recommends that a third of the food we eat should be starchy foods, such as bread, breakfast cereals, potatoes, pasta and rice. These foods are important sources of fibre and certain vitamins and minerals. Government advises against dietary regimes that exclude or limit whole food groups.

NHS Beds (Manchester)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS beds have been available in Manchester Central in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 14 July 2004
	The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		Average daily number of available and occupied beds by sector, Central Manchester, 199703
		
			  Name Total available Year total 
		
		
			 200203 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 1,172 1,172 
			 200102 Central Manchester  Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 1,050 1,050 
			 200001 Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 881 1,171 
			 200001 Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust 290  
			 19992000 Central Manchester Healthcare NHS 843 1,158 
			 19992000 Trust Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust 315  
			 199899 Central Manchester Healthcare 848 1,162 
			 199899 Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust 314  
			 199798 Central Manchester Healthcare 913 1,234 
			 199798 Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust 321  
			 199697 Central Manchester Healthcare 974 1,297 
			 199697 Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust 323  
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03

NHS Continuing Care Criteria (Challenges)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of individuals challenging NHS continuing care criteria have been supported by (a) community health councils and (b) the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service since February 2003.

Rosie Winterton: We do not have statistics available on the number of Community Care cases supported by Community Health Councils.
	The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) data collection is based on the complaints subject headings used by the national health service to report on family health services: this does not include a specific category for continuing care. The Department is in the process of reviewing the reporting requirements for the ICAS and a category will be introduced.

NHS Medical Staff

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical staff are employed by each NHS trust in London.

John Hutton: The number of medical staff employed by each national health service trust in London is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS) medical and dental staff in the London region by organisation. England, as at 30 September 2003
		
			   Number Whole time equivalents 
		
		
			  London 16,685 15,019.1 
			  of which.   
			 5C2 Barking and Dagenham PCT 9 9.0 
			 RF4 Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust 594 567.4 
			 RVL Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 471 440.3 
			 5A9 Barnet PCT 30 16.4 
			 RRP Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 185 168.8 
			 5AX Bexley PCT 10 7.3 
			 5K5 Brent PCT 22 19.8 
			 RV3 Brent, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Mental Health NHS Trust 217 202.3 
			 RG3 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 259 238.2 
			 5A7 Bromley PCT 25 19.4 
			 TAF Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust 141 125.5 
			 5K7 Camden PCT 88 67.7 
			 RQM Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust 382 346.0 
			 5C3 City and Hackney PCT 33 27.1 
			 5K9 Croydon PCT 8 7.8 
			 RC3 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 234 207.1 
			 5HX Ealing PCT 20 18.6 
			 RWK East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust 179 172.2 
			 5C1 Enfield PCT 12 9.4 
			 RVR Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust 500 452.2 
			 RP4 Great Ormond Street Hospital For Sick Children NHS Trust 394 353.2 
			 RG2 Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust 248 229.4 
			 5A8 Greenwich PCT 31 25.4 
			 RJ1 Guys and St. Thomas's NHS Trust 1,048 934.6 
			 5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 62 40.0 
			 RQN Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 911 724.7 
			 5C9 Haringey PCT 22 19.0 
			 5K6 Harrow PCT 21 19.5 
			 5A4 Havering PCT 1 0.8 
			 RAS Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 256 241.4 
			 5AT Hillingdon PCT 36 30.8 
			 RQX Homerton Hospital NHS Trust 257 247.4 
			 5HY Hounslow PCT 3 3.0 
			 5K8 Islington PCT 47 37.1 
			 5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT 7 3.9 
			 RJZ King's Healthcare NHS Trust 844 759.3 
			 RAX Kingston Hospital NHS Trust 332 302.0 
			 5A5 Kingston PCT 13 8.8 
			 5LD Lambeth PCT 12 11.3 
			 RJ2 Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust 279 266.3 
			 5LF Lewisham PCT 10 8.8 
			 RJ6 Mayday Health Care NHS Trust 347 317.3 
			 RP6 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust 205 176.7 
			 RNH Newham Healthcare NHS Trust 194 187.4 
			 5C5 Newham PCT 39 37.4 
			 Q05 North Central London SHA 7 6.7 
			 RAT North East London Mental Health NHS Trust 71 65.0 
			 Q06 North East London SHA 7 6.9 
			 RAP North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust 276 254.6 
			 RV8 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 602 551.6 
			 Q04 North West London SHA 2 2.0 
			 RPG Oxleas NHS Trust 94 87.5 
			 RGZ Queen Mary's, Sidcup NHS Trust 226 209.8 
			 5NA Redbridge PCT 14 10.9 
			 5M6 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 1 1.0 
			 RT3 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust 297 280.1 
			 RAL Royal Free NHS Trust 677 611.0 
			 RNJ Royal Hospital of St. Bartholomew, The Royal London Hospital and London Chest Hospital 897 836.8 
			 RPY Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust 223 215.4 
			 RAN Royal National Orthopaedic NHS Trust 94 90.1 
			 Q07 South East London St. HA 6 5.5 
			 RV5 South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 507 425.4 
			 RQY South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust 262 238.6 
			 Q08 South West London SHA 3 2.8 
			 5LE Southwark PCT 10 9.1 
			 RJ7 St. George's Group NHS Trust 696 645.2 
			 RJ5 St. Mary's Hospital NHS Trust 642 565.5 
			 5M7 Sutton and Merton PCT 8 4.3 
			 RNK Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust 40 30.4 
			 5C4 Tower Hamlets PCT 42 33.1 
			 RRV University College London Hospitals NHS Trust 855 734.9 
			 5NC Waltham Forest PCT 12 10.3 
			 5LG Wandsworth PCT 43 28.4 
			 RKL West London Mental Health NHS Trust 208 190.9 
			 RFW West Middlesex University NHS Trust 231 216.0 
			 5LC Westminster PCT 32 22.5 
			 RGC Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 280 263.4 
			 RKE Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 282 255.2 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

NHS Non-Medical Staff

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many non-medical staff are employed by the NHS in the London borough of Havering;
	(2)  how many non-medical staff are employed in each of London's NHS trusts.

John Hutton: This data is not collected by London borough. However the boundaries of primary care trusts (PCTs) are co-terminous with London boroughs.
	The table shows the number of non medical staff employed in each of the London national health service trusts including Havering Primary Care Trust.
	The non medical staff grouping includes nurses, health care assistants, technicians, administration staff etc. but does not include doctors employed in either the acute or primary care sector.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: Non-medical staff in the London Government office region by NHS trust as at 30 September 2003
		
			   headcount 
		
		
			 London Government office region  161,619 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 5C2 657 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust RF4 6,029 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust RVL 3,709 
			 Barnet PCT 5A9 1,304 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust RRP 2,211 
			 Barts and The London NHS Trust RNJ 6,490 
			 Bexley PCT SAX 581 
			 Brent PCT 5K5 930 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust RG3 2,081 
			 Bromley PCT 5A7 1,299 
			 Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust TAF 1,604 
			 Camden PCT 5K7 1,047 
			 Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust RV3 2,586 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust ROM 2,296 
			 City and Hackney PCT 5C3 672 
			 Croydon PCT 5K9 963 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust RC3 1,578 
			 Ealing PCT 5HX 1,129 
			 East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust RWK 2,233 
			 Enfield PCT 5C1 983 
			 Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust RVR 4,270 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust RP4 2,433 
			 Greenwich PCT 5A8 711 
			 Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust RJ1 7,526 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 5H1 621 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust RON 4,815 
			 Haringey PCT 5C9 860 
			 Harrow PCT 5K6 648 
			 Havering PCT 5A4 1,514 
			 Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust RAS 2,522 
			 Hillingdon PCT SAT 1,472 
			 Homerton University Hospital NHS Trust RQX 1,822 
			 Hounslow PCT SHY 628 
			 Islington PCT 5K8 725 
			 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 5LA 1,011 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Trust RJZ 4,882 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Trust RAX 2,548 
			 Kingston PCT 5A5 768 
			 Lambeth PCT 5LD 746 
			 Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust RJ2 2,491 
			 Lewisham PCT 5LF 1,128 
			 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust RRU 3,812 
			 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust RJ6 2,808 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust RP6 849 
			 Newham Healthcare NHS Trust RNH 1,636 
			 Newham PCT 5C5 1,613 
			 North Central London SHA Q05 127 
			 North East London Mental Health NHS Trust RAT 2,433 
			 North East London SHA Q06 158 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust RAP 2,451 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust RV8 4,438 
			 North West London SHA Q04 107 
			 Oxleas NHS Trust RPG 2,208 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust RG2 2,323 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust RGZ 2,004 
			 Redbridge PCT 5NA 573 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 5M6 441 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust RT3 2,311 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust RAL 4,642 
			 Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust RPY 1,739 
			 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust RAN 863 
			 South East London SHA Q07 101 
			 South London and Maudsley NHS Trust RV5 4,622 
			 South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust RQY 2,546 
			 South West London SHA Q08 90 
			 Southwark PCT 5LE 863 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust RJ7 5,652 
			 St. Mary's NHS Trust RJ5 4,191 
			 Sutton and Merton PCT 5M7 1,557 
			 Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust RNK 344 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 5C4 1,267 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Trust RRV 5,299 
			 Waltham Forest PCT 5NC 598 
			 Wandsworth PCT 5LG 1,585 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust RKL 3,716 
			 West Middlesex University NHS Trust RFW 1,625 
			 Westminster PCT 5LC 901 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust RGC 2,802 
			 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust RKE 1,801 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

NHS Posts (E-advertising)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received from professional health journals on change in income from job advertising due to e-advertising of NHS posts; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Department has had regular meetings with representatives from the health care professions to discuss the national health service e-recruitment project and will continue to work with them. In addition, the Department and the Department of Trade and Industry are working with members of the periodical publishers association to share information about the development of the service, assess its impact and explore ways in which the service and the health journals can work together to support cost effective recruitment into the NHS.

NHS Recruitment (Young People)

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage young people (a) to enter the nursing profession and (b) to work for the national health service in non-clinical jobs.

John Hutton: The NHS Careers service, information available on their website at www.nhscareers.nhs.uk, provides information about jobs and careers, clinical and non-clinical, within the national health service. The service is supported by national and local initiatives to promote careers in the NHS to young people including: a competition in secondary schools and colleges of further education to encourage more young people to consider a career in the NHS; an annual, multi-media, high profile recruitment campaign; and NHS Job Shop Day, to be held on 23 September this year. In addition, NHS bursaries are available to nursing and midwifery students undertaking degree or diploma level pre-registration courses. The Department, in collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing, has also developed a dedicated website, at www.learnaboutnursing.org, and package of activities aimed at raising the profile of nursing among schoolchildren.

NHS Staffing

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff left the NHS in each year since 1991; and what percentage of the total number of staff this represented in each case.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected centrally. The Department's workforce censuses collect information on the number of staff employed in the national health service each year; consecutive years' data therefore show the net change in the workforce, taking account of leavers and joiners.

NHS Treatment (Private Clinics)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of NHS patients who will receive treatment in private clinics over the next three years.

John Hutton: The independent sector treatment centre (IS-TC) programme is part of a major initiative to create additional capacity within the national health service to reduce waiting times and introduce choice for patients.
	When fully operational we expect IS-TCs to provide NHS treatment for up to 250,000 patients per annum.
	Information about the number of NHS patients treated in private clinics is not currently available. However, the Department's ongoing capacity planning exercise will give us a better understanding of the shape of procurement plans over the next five years.
	We expect the number of NHS patients who receive treatment through the independent sector to increase over the next five years.

Overseas Drugs Sales

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with other governments on preventing companies from overseas advertising, selling and exporting to the UK drugs which are only available with a prescription from a general practitioner.

Rosie Winterton: The legal controls on the retail sale, supply and advertising of medicines are set out in the Medicines Act 1968 and supporting regulations. They apply without distinction to medicines advertised, sold or supplied through the internet and by mail order.
	The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) replaced the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) on 1 April 2003.
	In 1998, the MCA co-ordinated the initial conference of the permanent forum on international pharmaceutical crime (PFIPC). The most recent meeting was in June 2004.
	The enforcement group of the MHRA has now established links through the PFIPC with senior enforcement officers from a number of regulatory agencies world-wide, including the United States, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and many European Union countries. Internet related issues are of common concern. Co-operation has been agreed between agencies to assist where possible on criminal investigations.
	International co-operation on this issue is challenging because the way medicinal products are supplied, with or without prescription, varies between countries, and variation in national legislation also means that what may be an offence in one country is not necessarily an offence in another.

Physical Activity (Young People)

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the importance of increasing levels of physical activity among young people.

Melanie Johnson: In April of this year, the Department published the Chief Medical Officer's report, At least five a week, which sets out the evidence for the health benefits of physical activity in childhood and adolescence. The report included the recommendation that:
	Children and young people should achieve a total of at least 60 minutes of at least moderate intensity physical activity each day. At least twice a week this should include activities to improve bone health (activities that produce high physical stresses on the bones), muscle strength and flexibility.
	Prevalence of activity and inactivity among children and young people is measured as part of the Health Survey for England. In 2002, the last year for which data are available, 70 per cent. of boys and 61 per cent. of girls met the recommendation.
	The benefits of physical activity for young people are not restricted to health. Physical activity in schools can improve academic achievement. Community sport and activity-based programmes for young people, such as Positive Futures, can help to increase social inclusion.
	Between 6 May and 30 June 2004 the Government have consulted on their future physical activity programme in the Choosing Health? Choosing Activity document as part of the broader Choosing Health? consultation process. The responses will inform the preparation of the Public Health White Paper, which will be published in the autumn and will set out action to address a range of health issues including priorities for increasing physical activity in children and young people.

Product Labelling (Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms)

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by whom the United Kingdom was represented at the European Union Member State Working Group meeting held on 23 June to consider the labelling of products made using genetically modified micro-organisms; what the outcome of the meeting was; what his objectives are for the final outcome of these discussions; what further action he intends to take to promote the achievement of those objectives prior to future developments within the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Two officials from the Food Standards Agency attended the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Healthsection on genetically modified (GM) organisms on 23 June 2004. No decision was made on the scope of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 GM Food and Feed, with regards to products made using genetically modified micro-organisms. The European Commission will forward a position paper in due course to inform further discussion and a decision on this topic at a future Standing Committee meeting.
	The Government's position on GM labelling is that the relevant legislation should be practical, proportionate and enforceable. The Government will continue to maintain this position in discussions on the labelling of GM products, which fall within the scope of the EC GM Food and Feed Regulation (No. 1829/2003).

Radioactivity (Public Health)

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research he has commissioned on the impact on the incidence of leukaemia among children aged up to one year who might be exposed while in the womb to radiation doses arising from major radiation leaks;
	(2)  if his Department will investigate variations in public health in relation to the proximity to areas of radioactive contamination; and whether the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment has investigated such variations, with particular reference to the Blackwater estuary;

Melanie Johnson: The Department has not commissioned such research. However, it has asked the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) to examine the level of childhood cancer around all major nuclear installations in Great Britain to see if there is a different pattern of incidence in those areas, compared with that found elsewhere in the country. Its report is expected to be published in October of this year. COMARE has already advised on two separate studies of cancer in the Bradwell area. Details are available on the COMARE website: www.comare.org.uk

Student Loans

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason student loans are regarded as income for the purpose of assessment for NHS health benefits; and whether loans other than student loans are regarded as income for this purpose.

Rosie Winterton: It is Government policy that funding for student support should be made available from public funds through loans from the Student Loans Company. Resources available for student support from public funds cannot be ignored when calculating entitlement to help from any other public funds. Commercial loans would not be regarded as income.

Warrington Hospital

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times for (a) heart surgery, (b) orthopaedics, (c) opthalmology and (d) cancer treatment were in Warrington in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Child Protection

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to place the operation of the four Area Child Protection Committees in Northern Ireland on a statutory footing.

Angela Smith: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is currently developing a Strategy for Children and Young People in Need which will consider a wide range of child protection matters including placing Area Child Protection Committees on a statutory footing. Decisions on the need for primary legislation will follow on from the completion of the strategy.

Civil Servants (Industrial Action)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the backlog is of applications for MoT certificates at vehicle testing centres as a result of industrial action.

Angela Smith: The total number of customers who had applied for vehicle tests and who were awaiting test appointments at close of business on 8 July 2004 was estimated to be just over 87,000.

Continuing Care

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether health trusts in the province are required to assess patients for fully-funded continuing care prior to discharge.

Angela Smith: In Northern Ireland, decisions about discharge from acute hospital care for patients with continuing care needs, including those who may require fully-funded continuing health care, must be made following a comprehensive assessment by clinicians and social care professionals.

Diabetes Mellitus

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to establish a regional implementation group for diabetes mellitus.

Angela Smith: The Department has established a Regional Diabetes Steering Group, which includes representatives of each HSS Board, to oversee the progress made by each Board in implementing the recommendations of the Crest Taskforce Report on the development of services for people with diabetes. The Steering Group has already met on two occasions to consider the local implementation plans developed by Boards and will continue to monitor the implementation process.

Employment/Industrial Tribunals

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases were heard at (a) employment and (b) industrial tribunals in Northern Ireland in the months from January to June inclusive in each year since 2001.

Barry Gardiner: The Office of the Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal maintains statistics on the number of cases disposed of each month, rather than the number of cases heard. The available figures are as follows:
	
		Cases disposed of by industrial tribunals
		
			  
		
		
			 2002  
			 January 505 
			 February 465 
			 March 286 
			 April 332 
			 May 270 
			 June 337 
			 2003  
			 January 490 
			 February 435 
			 March 421 
			 April 33 
			 May 415 
			 June 439 
			   
			 2004  
			 January 265 
			 February 343 
			 March 304 
		
	
	
		Cases disposed of by Fair Employment Tribunal
		
			  
		
		
			 2002  
			 January 52 
			 February 36 
			 March 46 
			 April 44 
			 May 34 
			 June 43 
			   
			 2003  
			 January 37 
			 February 71 
			 March 46 
			 April 17 
			 May 45 
			 June 38 
			   
			 2004  
			 January 50 
			 February 57 
			 March 30 
		
	
	The information sought by the hon. Member in relation to 2001 is not readily available and may take some time to collate. I will write to him with the information as soon as it is available. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Fish Stocks

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the accuracy of the ascending fish count at Sion Mills; and if he will describe the processes involved in ascertaining the number of fish ascending the River Mourne at this point (a) via the fish counters and (b) over the man-made weir at Sion Mills.

Ian Pearson: The Department has not received any representation about the accuracy of the fish counter at Sion Mills.
	(a) There are three separate channels that are monitored by fish counters on Sion Mills weir. These facilities have been monitored by video camera and through graphical output of changes in resistance caused by fish migrating over the counter strips. In addition one of the channels has a facility for the installation of a trap upstream of the counter and this has been used to further validate the counts. In the most recent trapping exercise earlier this year five fish were counted electronically and five fish were trapped during the test period. These validation procedures would confirm that the counter is operating efficiently.
	(b) During certain water conditions on the River Mourne salmon can pass over the weir without passing through the fish counting channels. This situation has been recognised since the initiation of the use of fish counts from Sion Mills as the primary management tool for the achievement of escapement targets for the salmon stocks of the area in the 1970's. In such conditions Loughs Agency staff are deployed to undertake visual counts of fish migrating over the weir and not passing through the counting channels. The protocol which continues to be applied to these visual counts is that they are multiplied by a factor of three to allow for periods when visibility is such that observations of these movements is impossible (during hours of darkness).

Fish Stocks

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fish were recorded by fish counters in the Foyle System in each month in the last three years; and what steps he is taking to develop the Foyle System in the interests of (a) conservation and (b) angling tourism.

Ian Pearson: The figures requested are summarised as follows.
	
		Foyle area fish counter data 2001
		
			 Month Faughan (42) Finn (43) Roe Mourne (44) Owenkillew/Glenelly 
		
		
			 January  15
			 February  8
			 March  48
			 April  133
			 May 4 233 27 222 15 
			 June 93 2,317 304 3,517 85 
			 July + 136 365 1,320 260 
			 August 739 127 1,090 358 410 
			 September 274 179 422 281 841 
			 October 259 97 856 358 749 
			 November 116 60 153 167 323 
			 December 33 -42 48 27 59 
			 Total 1,518 3,311 3,265 6,250 2,742 
		
	
	(42) FaughanThe Faughan Counter was inoperable during July due to water seeping through to connections and causing corrosion.
	(43) FinnThis figure is not a total count for the Finn. Field trials were held on the development of a new resistivity counter on Channel 1 and as a result of teething problems an incomplete count was achieved on this channel for June and part of July. The December figure has become negative due to kelts leaving towards the end of the month.
	(44) MourneSion Mills
	Similar to the Faughan water seeped through and caused serious problems with corrosion of metallic connections unfortunately this coincided with the main grilse run at the end of June and the beginning of July so this figure is likely to be a substantial underestimate of the run.
	
		Foyle area fish counter data 2002
		
			  Number of fish 45 cm. 
			 Month Mourne Finn Roe Faughan Owenkillew 
		
		
			 January  21 34 -4 -14 
			 February  34 -1 -19 -6 
			 March  403 -15 -3 -6 
			 April  238 -28 3 -52 
			 May 239 189 69 72 -11 
			 June 3,906 4,311 778 261 186 
			 July 5,236 284 1,653 1,126 434 
			 August 1,278 51 1,107 1,592 487 
			 September 1,042 55 511 594 655 
			 October 679 141 742 317 1,667 
			 November 432 62 430 259 1,199 
			 December 179 -21 179 30 4 
			 Total 12,991 5,768 5,459 4,228 4,543 
		
	
	
		Foyle area fish counter data 2003
		
			  Number of fish 45 cm. 
			 Month Mourne Finn Roe Faughan Owenkillew 
		
		
			 January  2
			 February  -11
			 March  43
			 April  104
			 May 127 695 26 5 7 
			 June 6,040 1,371 114 468 493 
			 July 2,837 2,962 1,604 1,182 934 
			 August 212 1 276 430 76 
			 September 1,002 809 518 186 216 
			 October 731 396 954 462 182 
			 November 952 183 535 362 1 
			 December 228 -94 59 2 -1 
			 Total 12,129 6,461 4,086 3,097 1,908

Fish Stocks

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the accuracy of the fish counter on the River Roe; and if he will describe the processes involved in ascertaining the number of fish that ascend this counter.

Ian Pearson: The Department has not received any representations about the accuracy of the fish counter on the River Roe.
	The fish counter in operation on the River Roe as with the others operating in the Foyle Area provides not only numbers of fish migrating over the counter strips on the weir, but also a graphical representation of the changes in resistance measured by these strips when a fish passes through the counter. These graphical outputs are used to ensure the counter is recording fish migrations accurately.
	However, further validation of the Roe counts will be facilitated by the installation of video equipment later this month which will monitor fish passage across the weir and relate this directly to the fish counter and the electronic signal generated.

Headache Sufferers

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of cluster headache sufferers who receive domiciliary oxygen in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available.

Mammogram Screening

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the criteria are for routine mammogram screening in Northern Ireland; and what consideration has been given to amending these criteria.

Angela Smith: At present in Northern Ireland women between 50 and 64 are invited every three years for mammography screening. While women aged 65 and over are not routinely called for screening, they can make an appointment, if they so wish, through their local screening centre. Plans to extend the screening programme to women aged 65 to 70 are now well advanced here and the Department expects that all Boards will be in a position to begin implementing the extension in 2005.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial resources have been allocated towards tackling mental ill health in Northern Ireland (a) in each of the last five years and (b) for future years.

Angela Smith: Details of total expenditure on the Mental Health Programme of Care in Northern Ireland for each of the last five years are listed in the following table:
	
		
			 Year ended March Total expenditure ( million) 
		
		
			 1999 114.8 
			 2000 124 
			 2001 133.2 
			 2002 139.3 
			 2003 150.8 
		
	
	In October 2002 DHSSPS initiated a wide-ranging independent review of the law, policy and service provision affecting people with a mental health problem or a learning disability. The recommendations from this Review are expected to have a strong influence on decisions for future funding for mental health and learning disability services.

Murder Sentencing

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether Northern Ireland will be brought into line with England and Wales in terms of sentencing tariffs for murder following the consultation process; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: The consultation on minimum terms has now concluded and the responses are currently being considered. I hope to publish the Government's response in the autumn.

Northern Ireland Events Company

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been allocated to each event to which funding from the current year's Northern Ireland Events Company budget has been allocated.

Angela Smith: The amount of funding allocated from the current years Northern Ireland Events Company budget to each event is as follows:
	
		(figures up to )
		
			 Major events Funding due in 200405 
		
		
			 BBC Music Live 149,000 
			 Senior British Open Golf Championship 500,000 
			 FIM World Outdoor Trials 15,000 
			 Circuit of Ireland Rally 19,125 
			 Historic Endurance Rally 40,000 
			 Laser Radial Sailing Championship 16,000 
			 Zapcat National Championships 15,000 
			 North West 200 50,000 
			 Ulster Grand Prix 20,000 
			 NI Milk Cup 41, 206 
			 Motocross World Championship 90,493 
			 Shell Foyle Cup Football Tournament 30,000 
			 On Eagles Wing 12,500 
			 Titanic Rally 35,328 
			 British Supermoto Championship 10,000 
			 Ireland v West Indies Cricket 15,000 
			 World Ploughing Championship 55,000 
			 Total 1,113,651 
		
	
	
		(figures up to )
		
			 Events growth fund Funding due in 200405 
		
		
			 Blues on the Bay 4,500 
			 Carrickfergus Football Tournament 2,000 
			 Cathedral Quarter Festival 5,000 
			 Deny Jazz  Big Band Festival 12,000 
			 Cookstown 100 2,500 
			 D-Day Air show 30,000 
			 Earthquake Festival of Dance 5,000 
			 Fiddlers Green Festival 5,000 
			 Get Down with the Blues 2,500 
			 Holywood Jazz Festival 6,000 
			 Festival of Fools 6,400 
			 Magnus Barelegs Viking Festival 5,000 
			 National Country Sports Fair 10,000 
			 Opera Fringe 10,000 
			 Oscar Wilde Festival 2,600 
			 Sperrins Balloon Festival 3,578 
			 Tandragee 100 6,500 
			 Tommy Makem International Festival of Song 15,307 
			 Appalachian Bluegrass Festival 15,000 
			 Festival of Fish 6,000 
			 Festival of the Peninsula 7,000 
			 Lough Neagh Triathlon 7,000 
			 Ultimate UK Strength Championships 10,000 
			 Total 178,885

PFI/PPP Health Projects

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects related to health there are in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The following projects are funded by (a) private finance initiative:
	
		
			 Commissioning body Project title 
		
		
			 Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital HSS Trust Car Parking 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust Holywell Hospital Energy Management System 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital HSS Trust Energy Management System 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust Renal Unit 
			 Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) Regional Clinical Waste Disposal Facilities 
			 United Hospitals HSS Trust Antrim Hospital Renal Unit 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital HSS Trust and Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust Link Laboratories 
			 Various HSS Trusts/Boards All Equipment Leases 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust Cancer Centre Equipment 
		
	
	The 'Equipment Leases' project consists of a variety of 46 leases. The major leases are:
	
		
			 Commissioning body Lease 
		
		
			 Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital HSS Trust Anaesthetics, Theatres and Intensive Care Services 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital HSS Trust Fractures/Accident and Emergency Centralisation 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Redevelopment Scheme 
			 Hospital HSS Trust  
			 Causeway Hospital HSS Trust PACS X-Ray Equipment 
		
	
	(b) There are no additional public private partnership projects.

Railway Review Group

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who the members of the Railway Review Group are; and which bodies they represent.

John Spellar: The Railway Review Group was set up to gather information on the future needs and requirements of railways in Northern Ireland and is comprised of Officials from the Department for Regional Development, the Department of Finance and Personnel and Senior Translink Officials. The group reported to me and I issued a consultation document on 19 May 2004, which will help inform the 2004 Spending Review process.

Railway Service (North West)

John Hume: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Government will make the necessary investments to upgrade the present rail service connecting the main cities of the north west region.

John Spellar: A consultation process in relation to the future investment needs of the Northern Ireland Railways Network is ongoing and the comments and views expressed will be taken into account as priorities are established and decided as part of the 2004 Spending Review.

Respite Care

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the need for provision of respite care.

Angela Smith: The contribution of informal carers is now widely acknowledged. The provision of respite services is vital for those who provide care, giving them temporary relief from their caring role. Assessment of need for respite care is the responsibility of each Health and Social Services Board and is carried out at a local level. In my Priorities for Action for the HPSS in 200405,1 have placed particular emphasis on the need to expand the availability of flexible respite options.

Sewage Outspill, Omagh

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the most recent sewage outspill at Clements Villas, Rodgers Villas and McClay Park in Omagh, West Tyrone; and when he expects this problem to be rectified.

John Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Member in response to this question.
	Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan to Mr. Roy Beggs
	On Saturday 26 June 2004 a severe rainstorm of some 20 to 30 minutes duration caused a rapid run off, of surface water, that overwhelmed the gulleys and drainage systems in this area and some out-of-sewer flooding affected roads and gardens. Water Service Contractors attended the scene and provided assistance to those affected and helped to clean up the debris when the storm subsided. The sewers in the immediate vicinity of the flooding were subsequently inspected and de-silted and a closed circuit television survey was undertaken. The survey identified some defects in the system and arrangements have been made to carry out the required remedial work. It is expected that the work will be completed by early August 2004.
	Water Service is currently undertaking a detailed study of the Omagh sewer network that will identify any major work required to improve the capacity of sewers in the region. Implementation of the study's recommendations is programmed to commence in the 2006 financial year, subject to the availability of funding and completion of all statutory processes.
	Water Service considers that the proposed interim remedial measures will reduce the risk of further flooding, pending the implementation of the recommendations of the study.

Skin Cancer

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) malignant melanomas and (b) other skin cancers were detected in the province in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Number of newly diagnosed cases of skin cancer in Northern Ireland (19932002)
		
			  Malignant Melanoma (ICD-10 C43) Non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD-10 C44) 
		
		
			 1993 185 2,107 
			 1994 183 2,164 
			 1995 173 2,090 
			 1996 178 2,275 
			 1997 158 2,246 
			 1998 186 2,238 
			 1999 182 2,278 
			 2000 183 2,213 
			 2001 211 2,164 
			 2002 241 2,430 
		
	
	Source:
	Northern Ireland Cancer Registry.

Social Care Students

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what financial assistance is available for students of social care from Northern Ireland who are studying in Great Britain;
	(2)  if he will provide bursaries to students from Northern Ireland who are studying social care in Great Britain.

Angela Smith: Students studying across the range of social care qualifications throughout the United Kingdom may be eligible to apply for support in accordance with the Education (Student Support) Regulations. Such support comprises income assessed grants towards tuition fees, higher education bursaries, student loans and supplementary grants.
	The Department also operates a discretionary incentive scheme, available only to those social work students domiciled and studying in Northern Ireland in order to benefit Northern Ireland social services. Students from Northern Ireland who wish to study social work outside Northern Ireland will therefore only be eligible to apply to their local Education and Library Board for support. There are no proposals to change these arrangements.

Victims Groups (Counselling)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of counselling services offered by victims' groups in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: Where victims' groups offering counselling services apply for funding from the Victims' Groups Core Funding Scheme or from the Victims Measure of the Peace II Programme they are required by the respective Intermediary Funding Bodies to ensure that the counsellors involved have a relevant qualification and that they follow best practice in line with the Social Services Inspectorate's report 'Counselling in Northern Ireland: Report of the Counselling Review' published in 2002. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.
	In addition, under the auspices of the Victims Strategy Implementation Fund, a research project has been commissioned with a view to establishing empirical evidence of the effectiveness of different approaches to treatment and therapy, including counselling, provided by victims' groups. It is hoped the project will commence in September 2004.

Waiting Times

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) average and (b) longest current waiting time is for surgery for trigeminal neuralgia at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.

Angela Smith: A total of seven patients with trigeminal neuralgia are currently waiting for surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. The average waiting time of these patients is 23 months; the longest waiting time is 39 months.

Waiting Times

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the proposed waiting list for patients with trigeminal neuralgia requiring surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.

Angela Smith: There are currently seven patients with trigeminal neuralgia on the waiting list for surgery. The Royal Group of Hospitals Trust, in liaison with the four Health and Social Services Boards, has been working hard to address waiting times for all neurosurgery patients. Current measures include additional clinic and theatre sessions, as well as suitable patients being identified for surgery elsewhere. All patients are treated on the basis of clinical priority.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Young People (Voting)

Bob Spink: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what measures are being taken to encourage participation of the 16 to 21 age-group in the next general election; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The Government are keen to ensure that all young people are encouraged to play as full a part as possible in all our democratic processes.
	A range of initiatives, such as citizenship education in schools and the UK Youth Parliament, assist this aim. During recent elections, we have sought to bring this learning to life for young people by working with partners to provide mock elections in schools and colleges. We will consider how to take forward such initiatives in future elections.
	In addition, the independent Electoral Commission, whose remit includes educating and informing people on electoral matters, makes special efforts to target young people, especially those who are on the point of attaining the right to vote.

Departmental Annual Report

Vincent Cable: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many departmental publications are in storage; and where they are located.

David Lammy: The Department for Constitutional Affairs headquarters does not store bulk copies of departmental publications centrally. Policy divisions within my Department retain small quantities of those publications which they have authored. Retention and storage of publications published by The Stationery Office (TSO) on behalf of my Department (such as the departmental annual report) is a matter for TSO. TSO may also rely on the use of on-demand printing facilities to meet the demand for copies.
	The Court Service currently holds stocks totalling 766,000 copies of 82 information leaflets. These are stored in Preston. This represents no more than two months' worth of stock for courts around the country.
	The Public Guardianship Office currently holds stock totalling 26,350 copies of six information leaflets at its London HQ.

Legal Services Commission

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make provision for a dedicated hotline for hon. Members to have access to the management of the Legal Services Commission; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Chief Executive and managers of the commission are pleased to deal with inquiries from MPs. The Chief Executive responds personally to all correspondence from MPs received by the LSC's head office.
	MP inquiries received by regional customer service teams are, in the first instance, dealt with by the Customer Service Manager and the inquiry will be referred on to more senior managers as appropriate. Where an MP telephone inquiry is directed to a particular department, these too may be escalated to the relevant senior manager. Written complaints or inquiries from MPs are always responded to by a senior manager.
	There are no plans to establish a dedicated hotline for Members of Parliament.

Legal Services Commission

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the latest average waiting time is for callers to speak to a telephone operator at the Legal Services Commission London Region Office; what measures he proposes to reduce the waiting time; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The average figure for the Legal Services Commission's London Regional Office to answer each call during the first quarter of 200405 is two minutes two seconds. The target waiting time is no longer than two minutes. The average call waiting time for the London Regional Office for the current week is one minute fifty seconds. On average, it receives 356 calls a day.
	In June 2003 the LSC introduced a customer service single score to its regional offices. This uses a range of measures covering the significant aspects of good customer service including time taken to perform key tasks, telephone handling skills and complaints handling. The single score allows the Commission to measure performance objectively and focus on areas where there is most need for improvement.
	The Legal Services Commission has recently launched new telephone handling standards. An independent specialist company undertakes on-going quarterly assessments of all the LSC's regional offices' telephone performance (including London) to measure capacity for answering telephone queries effectively, politely, and in language that is clear to the customer.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Cyprus

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet (a) Greek, (b) Turkish, (c) Greek-Cypriot and (d) Turkish-Cypriot officials to discuss the future of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I met Ministers from the Governments of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 12 July 2004. We met the elected leader of the Turkish Cypriots, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat in London on 1 July. The Foreign Secretary met Turkish Ministers at the NATO Summit in Istanbul on 28 June.
	The Foreign Secretary is meeting the Foreign Minister of Greece next week. I hope to travel to both Greece and Cyprus in the near future.

Cyprus

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance will be made available by (a) the UK Government and (b) the European Union for the rebuilding of facilities in the town of Famagusta for the joint benefit of Greek and Turkish Cypriots and to develop business enterprises in the town; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: We are working with partners on proposals from the European Commission for financial support to the Turkish Cypriots and special conditions for trade with the north of Cyprus. Once agreed, these measures will have a positive effect on the development and restructuring of infrastructure and will contribute to the overall economic development in the north. I am confident that this will be to the joint benefit of both communities and will facilitate the eventual reunification of the island.

Departmental Accountancy Practice

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the Finance Director of (a) the Department and (b) the Government Communication Headquarters is; what accountancy qualifications each Director holds; and on how many occasions there has been a qualified opinion on (i) the resource accounts and (ii) other accounts of each in the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The Finance Director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is D R Todd. While he does not have an accountancy qualification, the Chief Accountant is I D Morgan and he is a chartered management accountant. In addition, the Head of Internal Audit and the Head of Financial Planning and Performance are chartered accountants and report directly to the Finance Director. The accounts have had a qualified audit opinion on one occasion (200102) in the last five years. The audit opinion on the 200304 accounts will be available later in the year.
	It is GCHQ's long-standing policy not to name individual members of staff. The GCHQ Director of Policy and Plans has overall responsibility for finances. He has no formal accountancy qualification but he has access to a fully qualified team of accountants.
	Since 1999 GCHQ accounts have been expressed in terms of resource accounting. GCHQ's Resource Accounts for FYs 199900, 200001 and 200102 were qualified by the National Audit Office, but the FY 200203 accounts were not qualified. GCHQ continues to improve its accounting practices and systems.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the nature was of the consultation between the organising board of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and his Department; what response his Department gave; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The decision to invite musicians from the Chinese People's Liberation Army to participate in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a matter for the Tattoo organising board. Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised the Director of the Tattoo that although there were sensitivities surrounding the decision, participation was in accordance with defence diplomacy activities.

Foreign Policy

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what research his Department has commissioned on the impact on UK foreign policy of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy proposals set out in the draft European Union Constitution.

Denis MacShane: The outcome of the Intergovernmental Conference met our objectives with respect to the Common Foreign and Security Policy in the Constitutional Treaty. These objectives were to ensure that CFSP remains in the hands of member states and is decided at unanimity, whilst supporting proposals to increase the coherence and effectiveness of EU external action. The Government therefore has not commissioned separate research on the proposals for CFSP.

Iran

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the USA on social, political and foreign policy developments in Iran.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discusses Iran with the US Secretary of State and other senior Administration officials frequently. We share with the US serious concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, attitude to the fight against terrorism, human rights record and approach to the Middle East Peace Process.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the two directives issued by Mr. Paul Bremer in Iraq on 26 and 27 June relating to foreign contractors in Iraq apply; whether the directives apply equally to all foreign contractors in Iraq; to what extent such contractors will now be subject to Iraqi laws; whether there are exceptions to this; and whether there are different (a) arrangements and (b) liability for private security firms operating in Iraq and other contractors.

Bill Rammell: The regulations applying to foreign contractors and foreign security contractors in Iraq are as set out in CPA Order 17 and CPA Memorandum 17, which can be found on the CPA website at www.cpa-iraq.org.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what circumstances the two directives issued by Mr. Paul Bremer on 26 and 27 June authorise the use of force by contractors; to whom they would be responsible for doing so; what opinion has been expressed by the new Iraqi Government about the directives; how they will be implemented; whether they can be changed by the Iraqi Government; how and with whom Iraqi people can pursue claims against contractors; whether the UK Government was consulted about the directives; what input was provided by the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The regulations applying to foreign contractors and foreign security contractors in Iraq are as set out in CPA Order 17 and CPA Memorandum 17, which can be found on the CPA website at www.cpa-iraq.org. The Order and Memorandum were discussed between Coalition members, including the UK, and with the Iraqi Interim Government prior to their enactment. CPA Orders and memoranda will remain in force until revoked by an Iraqi Government.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the unemployment level was in (a) Iraq as a whole and (b) the area of Iraq under UK responsibility on the last day of the occupation.

Bill Rammell: In the absence of a labour force survey or unemployment benefits in Iraq, neither the Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs nor the Coalition Provisional Authority were able to collect accurate unemployment data. Estimates of the percentage of the working age population that is unemployed and under-employed vary between 10 per cent. and 25 per cent.

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iraqi Government on the protection of Mesopotamiam archaelogy and antiquities.

Bill Rammell: Officials of Her Majesty's Government have regular discussions with the Ministry of Culture on the subject of the protection of Mesopotamian archaeology and antiquities.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport (Tessa Jowell) spoke to the Iraqi Minister of Culture on 10 June to offer her support and has since written to him in similar terms.

Iraq

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many prison facilities are maintained by the occupation powers in Iraq for the detention of prisoners of war; how many (a) male, (b) female and (c) child prisoners are detained in each facility; and how many detainees have been released since April.

Adam Ingram: I have been asked to reply.
	The only such facility run by the UK in Iraq is the detention facility in Shaibah. At 30 June 2004, there were 50 internees in this facility, of whom one was under 18 years of age. No women were interned.
	32 internees were released in April, 56 in May and 26 in June.

Travel Costs

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the travel costs were of civil servants in (a) his Department and (b) its related agencies in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: Costs of travel of civil servants in the FCO were as follows:
	
		
		
			  Overseas UK 
		
		
			 199697 8,392,638.41 926,617.74 
			 199798 8,958,084.29 869,842.26 
			 199899 10,279,393.92 815,173.24 
			 19992000 9, 484,426.58 966,637.06 
			 200001 9,866,667.15 1,048,670.89 
			 200102 11,446,108.54 1,055,879.66 
			 200203 10,061,979.87 1,238,242.38 
			 200304 10,410,603.52 1,428,115.92

United Nations

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on reforming the United Nations; and when he next plans to meet his United Nations Security Council counterparts to discuss UN reform.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House on UN reform on 11 November 2003, Official Report, columns 199208, and the United Kingdom in the United Nations Command Paper (Cmnd 5898) published in September 2003, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
	The Government are firmly committed to reform of the United Nations. As an active UN member, the UK conducts regular exchanges with the UN and other member states on reform. We are working to create a more efficient United Nations, better equipped to meet the challenges of the modern world and deliver the objectives established in the Millennium Declaration.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers frequently discuss UN reform with their Security Council counterparts and will attend the United Nations General Assembly in September where they will discuss a variety of UN issues, including reform.
	The Security Council does not have primary responsibility for reform of the UN system and therefore discussions of these important issues also take place with the wider UN membership.